356. Glyphosate Is a Public Health Emergency with Kelly Ryerson

Soil Impact

Glyphosate's impact on soil health is profound, affecting both earthworms and nutrient availability. Kelly Ryerson explains that glyphosate's chelating properties strip essential minerals from the soil, leading to deficiencies in crops and, consequently, in human diets 1. This chemical also devastates earthworm populations, crucial for soil aeration and water retention, contributing to environmental issues like droughts and floods 1. Jeff Krasno highlights the broader implications of glyphosate's antibiotic properties on the soil biome, which in turn affects human health 2.

It's like taking the bullet out of a shotgun... the devastation of our microbiome.

--- Kelly Ryerson

The destruction of the soil's natural structure and its conversion into lifeless clay further illustrates the severe consequences of glyphosate use 3.

   

Feeding Myth

The claim that glyphosate and GMOs are essential to feed the world's growing population is critically examined. Kelly Ryerson argues that a significant portion of GMO crops is used for animal feed, not direct human consumption, debunking the myth that these technologies are necessary to prevent global starvation 4. The widespread use of glyphosate as a desiccant in agriculture further increases human exposure to this chemical, raising health concerns 5. Jeff Krasno emphasizes the broader implications of glyphosate on human health, linking it to chronic diseases and gut health issues 6.

It's not feed the world because you're eating just like, I think it's something like 10% of the corn goes to human consumption.

--- Kelly Ryerson

This perspective challenges the narrative that industrial agriculture's reliance on glyphosate is a necessity for global food security.