Toxic Legacy: How the Weedkiller Glyphosate Is Destroying Our Health and the Environment

by Stephanie Seneff

Named a “Best Book of the Year” by Kirkus Reviews “Urgent and eye-opening, the book serves as a loud-and-clear alarm.”― The Boston Globe Named an "Outstanding Academic Title" by Choice   From an MIT scientist, mounting evidence that the active ingredient in the world’s most commonly used weedkiller is contributing to skyrocketing rates of chronic disease. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in Roundup, the most commonly used weedkiller in the world. Over 300 million pounds of glyphosate-based herbicide are sprayed on farms―and food―every year. Agrochemical companies claim that glyphosate is safe for humans, animals, and the environment. But emerging scientific research on glyphosate’s deadly disruption of the gut microbiome, its crippling effect on protein synthesis, and its impact on the body’s ability to use and transport sulfur―not to mention several landmark legal cases―tells a very different story. In Toxic Legacy , senior research scientist Stephanie Seneff, PhD, delivers compelling evidence based on countless published, peer-reviewed studies―all in frank, illuminating, and always accessible language. As Rachel Carson did with DDT in the 1960’s with Silent Spring , Seneff sounds the alarm on glyphosate, giving you guidance on simple changes you can make right now and essential information you need to protect your health, your family’s health, and the planet on which we all depend. “A game-changer that we would be foolish to ignore.”― Kirkus Reviews (starred) “ Toxic Legacy will stand shoulder to shoulder with Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring . [This is] unquestionably, one of the most important books of our time.”―David Perlmutter, MD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Grain Brain “Dr. Seneff’s work will change the way we all think about food.”―Mark Hyman, MD, New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Health, Environment, Nonfiction, Science, Food, Politics, Nature

272 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2021

Reviews

[Tao · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...the United States has the highest rate of death on the first day of life among industrialized nations."

"In 2017, dementia was the primary cause of 261,914 deaths, up from 84,000 in 2000."

"The average life expectancy of a person with autism is only 36 years old."

"In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner, a psychiatrist at Johns Hopkins University, published a seminal paper that described autism for the first time based on his study of eleven children. Even at that time, when little was understood about autism and almost nobody had heard of it, Dr. Kanner described it as an illness with gastrointestinal disorders and dietary issues with behavioral manifestations."

"Children with autism are generally deficient in oxytocin."

"Protein synthesis is an error-prone process: Scientists estimate that about 15 percent of all the proteins in the body have at least one mistranslated amino acid."

"The pharmaceutical industry thrives when America is unhealth. Vibrant good health harms its bottom line."

[John Szalasny · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTE: I made it through the book with high school biology/chemistry classes that I took 45 years ago. The author provides details on the science behind the processes she is discussing but keeps the book accessible for all.

The book lives up to the praises on the back cover as well as the front cover plug that it is "A bold and heroic work (that) will stand shoulder to shoulder with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring." As with Carson's DDT, Stephanie Seneff has her glyphosate (you may know it better by the brand name Round Up). And as DDT was messing up life for plants, animals and humans, glyphosates have been linked to a list of global issues that science is just starting to research.

Dr. Seneff focuses her book on how this "safe" weedkiller affects human health. It doesn't directly harm human life, but it is toxic to the bacterial life in your gut that is necessary to a healthy life. It doesn't harm human cells, but it acts as a chelator (binder) to many minerals, making them unavailable for the body to use for various biologic processes. It doesn't harm the protein building blocks of life, it becomes part of it by attaching itself as a replacement part of protein chains.

If there is a criticism that can be placed on this book, it is only because the science is just starting to research the wide variety of issues raised in this book. Phrases such as "could cause" and "strong argument" are found throughout the book, but there is enough circumstantial evidence to back up the claims.

Like Silent Spring, Toxic Legacy is just the proverbial shot across the bows in the battle against the chemical industry. Rachel Carson was vilified by the industry both for her gender and that she, as a marine biologist, did not have the "expertise" to note what common sense was showing her. Critics will look at Dr. Seneff and note that she is at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. Undoubtedly, she will also be painted as a fish out of water, but her focus has been on the effects of drugs, diet AND TOXIC CHEMICALS on human health and disease. This is a starting point for researchers who should read this book and run to their labs to start research to validate her claims. Like the immediate danger of DDT in the 1960's, we have gone on too long with the dangers of glyphosates. It's time to take the focus off of the "Frankenplant" GMO fears and place the focus on the right issue. It's not the plant that is the problem. It is the chemical that the plants are resistant to - GLYPHOSATE.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this is a very complicated book but very much worth reading! Tons of fantastic information in here if you want to be healthy these days. You won't find this stuff out from your own doctor.

But this book is not for everyone. It's very scientific. If you decide to read this or buy this book you better understand terms like mitochondria, chelates, lymphocytes, glutathione, LDL, c-reactive proteins, etc. If you are OK with these terms and a lot of other ones, great! If not the book does give explanations and there are many health based youtube channels that actually teach this stuff (which is where I have learned this stuff over the past few years truthfully - I highly recommend Peter Osborne who is a top nutritionist. But do realize the book is more geared towards scientists or doctors - not the average reader. And even though I know a lot, even I found new stuff in these pages. There is even a section on celiac and gluten sensitivity.

Simply put, glyphosate is bad stuff. And it really goofs up the body bad. Here are some of the things it does: leads to birth defects, liver damage, messes up the sulfur pathways, goofs up the gut and a goofed up gut can lead to brain issues, messes with the endocrine system & the citric acid cycle... Then there is PEPCK enzyme which is about energy (you can't burn fat for fuel). And the book talks about autism a lot too... I think you are beginning to see this is a very complicated book. This stuff was in the later chapters.

So if you want to know in great detail the effects that this stuff has on the body than this is the book you want to read. It's all explained in great detail. And as I said before a lot of it also is about autism. She believes that the rise in autism is due in part to these nasty chemicals in our environment and that it will only get worse. She also mentions Covid-19 in here too.

The earlier chapters discusses what it does to the environment. And in many ways that was even worse! Soil bacteria, earthworms, the bees, insects... All dying. It was pretty depressing! And reading it made me feel pretty useless. I don't ever use that stuff - in fact I avoid as many toxins & manmade chemicals as I can - but so many other people do use that stuff. In fact they seem to actually like the stuff! Which I just don't understand. They do not seem to realize that stuff is killing them.

So did I find the book useful? A bit. You see I have already been living on organic foods for years now. Mostly on grass fed meat. I already have tons of food sensitivities and gluten sensitivity. And autism. And except for all of these sensitivities to countless things I am pretty healthy. So eating organic is definitely worth it. That much I can verify! Unfortunately its expensive to be healthy these days. And like she says in here its not actually in the average doctors interest to make you healthy. They make money off of sick people. So you need to take your health into your own hands. Unfortunately this glyphosate is everywhere.

I also found some startling new facts in here about autism. Like that if you have autism you chance of getting non alcoholic fatty liver disease is three times higher! Never knew that! I guess its because we have problems detoxing. But I think stuff like that is also very heavily influenced by diet. Most of those conditions are. My genes say I am "more likely to be overweight" yet I wear an XS T-shirt! And what is this about the lifespan of someone on the spectrum being like 38?? I am 50! I believe my mother was autistic too and she had lived to be 82! Many of these things are influenced by diet and lifestyle. But apparently most people who have autism have too much glutamate in the blood as some system is not working correctly. No surprise there. I sure have problems with sulfur foods too (except for grass fed red meat).

She does mention exercise in here. If you want to live a long life you need to exercise daily. Which I do. Haven't had a cold or flu for years; since I went grain free in fact!

The PEPCK enzyme was something new to me. Never heard of that before! It was just fascinating! In fact most of the book was fascinating.

Definitely worth the read!

[Keen Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just when you thought it was safe to go out into the garden…

“Glyphosate’s mechanism of toxicity is unique and diabolical. It is a slow killer, slowly robbing you of your good health over time, until you finally succumb to incapacitating or life-threatening disease. Its insidious, cumulative mechanism of toxicity, which begins with the seemingly simple substitution of glyphosate for the amino acid glycine during protein synthesis, explains the correlations we are seeing with diverse diseases that seem to have little in common.”

Seneff PhD is a bit of a clever clogs, having not one but four degrees from MIT, as well as having published more than 200 peer reviewed articles, so although modesty maybe not be one of her strongest traits, she is clearly a top class authority in her chosen field. This book makes some bold and powerful claims, which are initially all too convincing. It starts off being accessible enough, but without doubt we do get into some advanced chemistry which may not be immediately understandable to those without prior or relevant knowledge (which includes me).

Glyphosate is an antibiotic, and was originally patented back in 1961 as a chelating agent to strip mineral deposits off pipes and boilers in commercial hot water systems. Then in 1968, Monsanto patented glyphosate as a herbicide for use in agriculture. It was then patented a third time by Monsanto in the early 2000s, this time as an oral antibiotic.

At one point she makes a baffling and tenuous connection tying glyphosate to the current pandemic, “Many of the hardest hits countries, such as the United States, the UK, Brazil and South Africa, make heavy use of glyphosate. Diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, diseases that are prevalent in the industrialized nations, are well-established risk factors for mortality from COVID-19.”

This is such a reckless and stupid statement, that I had to re-read it to believe what I was seeing. The fact that these nations were hit so bad by Covid may have something to do with the fact that they were all ruled by right wing extremists, whose self-delusion and economic interests were routinely prioritised over locking down in time. She summarises by saying, “Few researchers are talking about glyphosate in the context of SARS-CoV-2 but they should be." which made me want to scream out.

At one point she says, “there are no prescription medications that can arrest brain decline, let alone reverse it” and then she tells us ten pages later about two people she knows who “were able in some cases to reverse dementia-and even cure it-by treating patients with B12.”

Glyphosate didn’t shoot JR or JFK, neither did it fake a moon landing or cause the global financial crisis, but I get the impression that if Seneff PhD was given more space she would maybe get round to explaining why they were all caused by glyphosate too. Cos if we are to believe what she says in here almost any ailment, allergy or illness you can think of can somehow be traced back to glyphosate.

This started off so well with some really strong and compelling arguments, but by the end I felt like I was trapped with an unhinged crazy, who was only a few pages away from a speech about global conspiracies and 5 G. She also warns against using sunblock, fluoride and EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field-not the 90s Indie act). We get a chapter on healthy eating?...which seems tagged on to pad out this slim offering a little bit more.

It does seem a little peculiar and irregular to be citing studies done in the likes of Nigeria, Egypt and Tunisia, not exactly nations which are traditionally renowned for the quality and depth of their scientific studies, but there we go.

“There is no life on Earth that can survive without water. When we poison waterways we poison ourselves.”

Without doubt Monsanto and glyphosate should not be trusted and are worth further and deeper scrutiny, but unfortunately this starts off as a scientific study and ends up a rambling mess of unfiltered paranoia, which really detracts from the core message.

[Anindita Mullick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly was let down by the book. The topic is interesting and relative to my environmental health interests, but the execution was pretty poor.

My biggest peeve was the lack of pictures: figures, diagrams, and charts describing physiological effects would have been SUPER helpful as I was getting confused throughout despite recently taking (and doing well in) cell biology, chemistry, and immunology courses. The author seems brilliant, but her science communication skills for a layperson needs help (pictures would have done the job tbh).

I also am wary with her ending messaging and advice as if leans towards the “crunchy” movement - it’s not that I hate all facets of their beliefs (I try to eat organic and in general limit my exposure to plastic, especially in food), but a scientist advocating for no sunscreen and associating modern medicine with health suppression is kind of concerning. Even if there are some truth to her statements, I think she has a responsibility as an author and scientist to not make general statements that could be used to support misinformation and fear campaigns that ultimately work against good health goals.

[Kerry Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really an important book. There's so little information out there about Glyphosate.

However, this book was a really depressing and hard to read (so much chemistry to try and understand), thank goodness for the last chapter (positive things) about what you can do! Why has this stuff been on the market for so many years? Why do so many people use it as if it was as harmless as water?

[Leora Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Dr. Stephanie Seneff years ago when I worked at MIT. She does not disappoint. Her knowledge of science and current farming practices is extensive. I was impressed with her nutrition knowledge. We need to become activists so glyphosate does not continue to poison our bodies.

[michael prado · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview:
Toxic Legacy offers up enough impetus for the logical reader to establish reservation, if not repudiation, towards glyphosate usage in modern agricultural practices; yet, the hasty and polemical means in which Seneff establishes core arguments on under-scrutinized research and overqualified claims ultimately serve to the discredit of her laudable travail.

Review:
In Toxic Legacy, Seneff presents an interesting collection of various hypotheses positing how glyphosate may be a driving mechanism of many physiological and environmental pathologies. Yet, what is noticeably glossed over in a book covering such a large scientific scope is an understanding of glyphosate as a singular variable, covariate or independent from other factors. One does not have to read very far into the book before begining to doubt the claim that glyphosate is the root-cause to all the world's issues, as the book's subtitular premise conveys.

What is not in doubt is glyphosate's supplementary contribution to many of the presented outcomes; what ought to follow is for glyphosate to be evaluated within the systematic scope of multi-factor analyses, running the gamut of the various phenomena the pesticide is linked to (leading to further exposition on falsifiable testing methods and methodologies which could put these hypotheses to the test). However, rather than following this course, Seneff unfortunately takes it for granted that the few links which correlate glyphosate or glyphosate-like analogies to various physical phenomena is enough to assume its role as a significant causal variable in each and every case; this is the faulted premise off which she vaults to wax polemic on the greater effects of each pathology in the whole of the book.

This overarching pattern of argumentation noticeably drives Seneff to draw hasty generalizations to reorient focus on polemical red herrings in the copious environmental and physiological crises whereon the book rests its gravitas. This pattern is one of many devices that strike the reader as fallacious. A brief synopsis of these issues follows:

- In p. 98 Seneff deems unsubstantiated eNOS disruption by glyphosate to be the causal mechanism of superoxide release in the bloodstream and oxidized LDL accumulation characteristic of cardiovascular disease; however, Seneff has already admitted that it is high serum cholesterol which brings about eNOS coupling and superoxide release via an increase in production of caveolin in endothelial cells keeping eNOS at the membrane. Post-hoc, Seneff co-opts glyphosate as the causal mechanism for a process she already forwarded was induced by cholesterol. Glyphosate may well likely be a factor in eNOS disruption, but to call it the leading factor of cardiovascular disease through accumulated oxidized LDL is a logical stretch and jump to conclusion.
- In p. 118, Seneff cites studies which indicate that lower doses of glyphosate are actually associated with more negative outcomes; this point is not expanded upon and makes redundant earlier arguments in the intro about the need to lower acceptable daily intake limits. On the other hand, the widespread prevalence of glyphosate that she alludes to in the citing of glyphosate levels measured in urine waters down the causal association glyphosate may have with myriad health effects - if glyphosate is really ubiquitous in this day and age, all the more stringent is the burden of causal proof for its role in particular outcomes. Blanket statements in this regard do not mass the muster of keen eyes.
- In p. 63 Seneff alludes to glyphosate being a “Frankenstein” substance as it becomes incorporated into Bluegill’s protein though metabolic processes. This freely drawn characteristic must tackle the corresponding claim that all ingested substances, being metabolized into component amino acids and other biomolecules and micronutrients, being in some part absorbed, are retained or reassembled into our tissue as “Frankenstein” molecules. Glyphosate is naturarlly no exception. In this case, Seneff further extrapolates on animal studies (as she frequently does heretofore without qualification) and misrepresents Montesano’s claim that glyphosate “mostly” passes through our bodies, by arguing that it fails to completely pass through the Bluegill’s systems; she attacks the strawman, be it as it were that glyphosate does not operate exceptionally as a completely free molecule passing through the body with no effect whatsoever.
- In p.39, Seneff worryingly claims that a *correlation* coefficient per se implies “causation as a plausible explanation” between the relationship of statistical variables, lest one be “imprudent”: imprudent is the conflagration of statistical variables; then again, it is said that tstatisticians are the most notorious liars, but I digress.

Other misc. fallacies and slippery slopes warranting further exposition:
- Seneff discredits numerous studies (eg., those initiated by Monstantos) by critique of methodology while failing to apply those same standards of methodology critique in the studies she uses to cite her own arguments.
- Establishing glyphosate as an amino acid analogue for glycine to tie it to disruptions inherent to all disorders which may involve glycine in operative mechanisms, viz. collagen-related joint pain, insulin resistance and elevated serum LDL.
- Glyphosate, expected to behave like negatively-charged aspartate, is expected to cause abnormal phosphorylation in all proteins according to an unfalsifiable synthesis motif.
- Similar establishment of unfalsifiable motifs for PEP binding disruptions in EPSP synthase following glycine substitution and PEP binding disruptions in red blood cell glycolysis following glycine substitution.
- Glyphosate acting as a barrier to sulfate binding through analogous mechanisms of sulfate to phosphate binding; hence, she argues, glyphosate must play a leading role in sulfate deficiency, protein signal disruptions, eNOS pathology, etc.
- Glyphosate disrupts PEPCK merely by analogous comparison to EPSP synthase (apropos, I admit that it is very likely that glyphosate factors heavily into the liver given its composition as an exogenous chemical pesticide which the liver functions to parse.)
- PEPCK deficiency as the reason behind chronic fatigue disorder and rise in chronic obesity and sedentary lifestyle.

As a proviso, the work has certainly has its moments of redemption. In the latter half of the book, Seneff becomes more humble in her discussion of vicarious effects of glyphosate on neurological disorders, endocrine systems, auto-immune disorders, and various lifestyle choices. I greatly appreciated the practical recommendations in the final chapter and was even compelled to purchase a follow-up read: “Preserving Brain Health in a Toxic Age”.

Somewhere along the way, Seneff transitions to measured statements and logical inferences characteristic of open theorization drawn from qualified animal studies, in vitro cell fertilization, epidemiology and allusions to analogous operative patterns from earlier chapters (viz. phosphate and sulfate pathways). This sort of humbled down, looser theorization is more than tolerable: it is engaging and thought-provoking (what we expect in pop-sci books like this). It comes with no surprise in the latter half of the work, as she carries the weight of authority from an established prima facie case. This change in analysis serves a marked juxtaposition from the headstrong argumentation of recurrent motifs in the first half of the book.

As the early chapters offered up fundamental lemmas for her hypotheses, they need not have included the most doubtless claims, and would certainly have benefited from a more balanced and thorough meta-analysis of research and methodologies. This would set a less polemical, more authoritative, scientific tone for the rest of the book, in any case, ensuring a stronger foundation for later, open-theorization. That this may serve as a warning that good science is made suspect by hasty coverage; and a solid prima facie case may be sullied, stunted and side-lined by procedural errata in presentation of material fact.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Toxic Legacy" describes how glyphosate is harmful to human health. The book is suitable both for scientists and non-scientists, but it can get technical. The author described in detail the mechanisms for how glyphosate does it's damage in a way that will convince scientists. She tried to describe the detailed scientific information in a way that the common person can follow (especially if you have some science background), but she also summarized her main points at the end of each section in a way that anyone can understand. The first few chapters and the last one are the easiest to understand, and the last chapter focused on what you can do to avoid the harm caused by glyphosate. Many of these suggestions are diet related, like buy Certified Organic food to minimalize glyphosate residue. While not the easiest read, I'd still highly recommend this important book to everyone and I've bought some additional copies to give to family members.

[Leslie Portu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished free sample
Very interesting!
Definitely want to read entire book

[ShelleyT · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's so much important info in this book: put aside temporarily after 2 chapters: absorb all the iupsetting info: all the subterfuge and misinformation bought and paid for by Monsanto et al. Bayer too, and the lies. The copious footnotes in look-upable detail at the end of the book on pp 192-243.
Data coming directly from Monsanto including, in just the first chapter, just one coverup so far: Food and Chemical Toxicology journal article by Monsanto scientists, retracted from the journal with the excuse: "the results (while not incorrect) are inconclusive"). What does "not incorrect" mean?
Just one of my extrapolations about just one of our genes: the pancreatic cancer gene(s) switched on by these weedkillers. Smoking gun is that the P53 gene is damaged so suppression won't be as likely. What other genes are turned off and on? Gmo food plants' chelation of minerals, including zinc: reduction of pancreatic enzyme: what does this lead to?

You can't get away from GMOs as it's still being dumped on us in the billions of tons a year.

Blood Brain Barrier involvement: extrapolations also about how since it binds with aluminum a million times more readily than EDTA does into the brain what kind of down-stream effects after years of eating plants and meat, and what's changed in the DNA.

Glyphosate suppressing cardiac conduction and contractibility, eventually possibly destroying the heart: that's just one organ affected.

For profit, these lives cut short or being blighted. The pain and suffering for damned profits.

And now learning that "Non-GMO" is not the same as "certified organic". It can be sprayed with glyphosate as a dessicant just before harvest on purpose. It's in the soil, in animal manure, rainfall and wind drift. We eat, drink, bathe and swim in it. Depletion of lacto and bifido bacterias, more bad prevotella colonization of our guts, hormone and reproductive problems, abnormally high testosterone in females, DNA damage, neurotransmitter levels, breast cancer cells growing unchecked from parts per trillion: a drop of this in an olympic sized pool.
Taking 748 days to degrade 59% of it if undisturbed so soil is polluted by it, and so the entire ecosystem effected, including mycorrhizae, as pathogens overpopulate due to the fungal genes DNA deletions and drop in plants' pH. 17Million die of fungal infections and there's no mystery why as multi-drug resistant fungi in humans are a major threat, with a 60-90% fatality rate. Even the Great Barrier Reef is affected as is the St Lawrence River and Lake Okeechobee, Mississippi River deltas.
This book needs to be read by our politicians because glyphosate isn't being taken seriously for the poison it is.

[Jen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars
Already knowing what I do about Glyphosate this just reiterated how horrible it is, and that it is in EVERYTHING. To me this book was very scientific – WAY too much for me to comprehend. I don’t know a thing about chemistry – let alone how something like glyphosate wrecks our bodies on a biological level…disruption, production, interferences, blockage, enzymatic activity, how cells bind, how proteins are formed and how molecules work with each other. There was too much science for me to understand – I had to skip chapters 4, 5, 6 & 7 completely. If you understand chemistry and biology then this would be a great book for you, otherwise take it for what it is and read the parts you can understand. Lots of other interesting things I learned on top of what I already knew…

Some interesting quotes though….
Pg. 28 “We can anticipate a future fungal disease pandemic if glyphosate usage continues to escalate as it has in the past.” Have heard about this a few times recently and was like woah!! She thinks so too!! YIKES!

Pg. 51 “Chronic exposure to glyphosate will cause a similar problem in the digestive tract, though less immediate and less severe. Normally, most of the gut bacteria reside in the large intestine. However, with slow movement of the contents of the gut, abundant nutrients become available to allow microbes to flourish in the small intestine, where they normally don’t belon, leading to SIBO. Disrupted peristalsis leads to constipation, and, on top of that, impaired digestive enzymes cause proteins to be metabolized into ammonia, increasing the pH of the gut. This in turn affects the balance of short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Low butyrate starves the colonic mucosal cells, allowing toxic metabolites produced by bacteria and fungi to breach the leaky gut barrier and enter the general circulation.”

Pg. 170 “Grazing cows have a much better life than factory0farmed cows. They belch and expel less methane gas because their diet is healthy. As opposed to manure from confined animals, which is a toxic waste product that pollutes the soil and ground water, the manure of grass-fed animals makes an excellent natural fertilizer.

Pg. 9 “Although it’s used as a weed killer today, glyphosate was first patented by the Stauffer Chemical Company in 1961 as a chelating agent to strip mineral deposits off pipes and boilers in commercial hot water systems. Then in 1968, Monsanto patented glyphosate for a totally different application, as a herbicide for use in agriculture. It was then patented a third time (again by Monsanto) in the early 2000s, this time as an oral antibiotic. All of these applications, as a chelator, an herbicide, and, as an antibiotic, play a role in the chemical’s unique and diabolical impact on human health.” Pg. 48 “When we are chronically exposed to glyphosate in our food and water, it is like taking low doses of antibiotics over an extended period of time. While glyphosate improves the effectiveness of some antibiotics, it has the opposite effect for others. In particular, glyphosate reduces the responsiveness of both Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium to ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and kanamycin, to commonly use antibiotics. The effects of concurrent exposure to low-dose glyphosate on various antibiotics can be catastrophic.”

Pg. 145 “The percentage of children in the United States with a food allergy rose 50% from 1998 to 2010, according to the CDC. … there are several working hypotheses about what causes over immune system to turn against us. The most popular one is that we humans have become “to clean.” … the idea behind the hygiene hypothesis is that public health measures, including antibiotics, pasteurization, vaccination, and water, sanitation, which have so successfully limited the spread of infectious diseases, have also unexpectedly led to chronic illnesses because our extremely clean environment fails to “educate” the immune system to attack infections. Without infectious diseases or parasites to fight against, the body fights itself. The evidence to support this hypothesis is mostly epidemiologic. For example, large population studies show that allergies and asthma are much less common, even nonexistent, and countries where hygiene is poor.”

Pg. 54 “ Finnish children are more exposed to glyphosate than their Russian counterparts on the other side of the border, and they have been for years. … while Finnish, children, eat glyphosate-contaminated foods, Russian president Vladimir Putin has been enthusiastic about turning Russia into the organic food capital of the world. Since 2015, Russia has refused to plant GMO crops, and since June 2016 there has been a near total ban on the use of genetically modified plants in Russian agriculture. It is also illegal to import genetically modified food from abroad. With rich soil that hasn’t been ruined by industrial chemicals, Russian has resisted and agrochemical approach to food production. With a less exposure to glyphosate in their food, water, and clothing, is it any wonder the children in Russian Karelia are healthier than their Finnish counterparts?”

Pg. 33 “ what do scientist find when they examine glyphosate’s effects on bees? Nothing good. When adult worker honeybees are exposed to sublethal doses of glyphosate, it decreases their short-term memory retention and disrupts the associative learning necessity for affective foraging. Bees are remarkable insects. They recognize each other’s faces, and they can even be taught to recognize humans. Healthy bees, with practice, find the shortest way back to their hives. But bees exposed to seemingly “safe” levels of glyphosate take longer to return to their hives, and they are not able to improve their time spent finding their way back home in a second release. Even when it does not kill them outright, glyphosate damages their ability to find food. … glyphosate negatively affects their learning, cognitive, and sensory abilities. Glyphosate also disrupts the honeybee microbiome. … Bees with impaired microbiomes are more likely to abandon their hives and die from opportunistic infections.”

Pg. 161 “Perhaps the most dissident realization we must confront is that the healthcare sector is predicated on making and keeping people sick. When you follow the money, you realize that the pharmaceutical industry, and most of the medical establishment, make a bulk of their profits from treating symptoms of chronic illness. The pharmaceutical industry has experience tremendous growth in the past 20 years; the research, production, and distribution of medication is sold lucrative that generates $1.25 trillion in revenue in a single year. Autoimmunity alone is a $108 billion industry. There is little incentive to identify and correct the root causes of chronic disease or empower people to keep from getting sick in the first place, when there’s so much profit to be made. Quite the opposite, in fact. The pharmaceutical industry thrives when America is unhealthy. Vibrant good health harms it’s bottom line.”

[Larissa Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that glyphosate is bad and should be banned is true… but it’s never enough. I need to know why, I feel I need to be able to hold my own in a conversation.

Stephanie Seneff, a research scientist at MIT has produced an important and invaluable book detailing the dangerous and damaging effects of the toxic chemical glyphosate (G).

Glyphosate (AKA Round Up) is a herbicide and antibiotic created by the agrochemical company Monsanto. It is commonly used as weed killer in the UK and USA yet it pollutes soil, plant life, food and water. So called ‘safe’ usage limits are based on outdated science and have proven to be detrimental to human and animal health. Monsanto are keen to create glyphosate resistant crops which will increase the use of G in agriculture.

Seneff’s detailed, scientific research shows that G is damaging to the body and mind and has a negative impact on: liver function, digestion, gut health, cancer, autism, candida, fungal disease, immune system, reproduction, birth, infant health, Alzheimer’s, depression. The chemical disrupts the body at a cellular level and it’s effects can be seen in humans generations after exposure. There are also links with COVID-19; there is a high correlation between countries with high case numbers and high use of G. Whilst Seneff admits that G is not the only culprit, other chemicals and pollutants also have an effect, her research shows that it will “exacerbate health conditions that may have initially been triggered by something else.”

This is such an important and bold piece of work. I’m praying that it has the impact that Carson’s Silent Spring had in banning DDT. Only this time let’s not replace it with other toxic chemicals. “Glyphosate is a global threat, and we cannot be satisfied until it is banned worldwide.” It is the most dangerous, pervasive and hard to avoid environmental chemical in use today. Seneff calls for a ban to be replaced with organic food, clean water and regenerative agriculture.

I’ve just added Seneff to my list of environmental heroines.

[diana Mackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I retired as a building custodian. I checked the book out from the local library a couple of years back, and read it with a search engine available (phone or computer), but I never finished it beyond skimming the last couple chapters, and gave it back. Last month I bought my very own copy, so I can read it AT my computer, dig more deeply into scientific terms, AND take copious notes, processes I absolutely enjoy. But also something we all need to do, given how much they are throwing at us while hiding facts from us!

This book is vital for understanding how glyphosate works, including how it enters our bodies at the level of DNA -- replacing the glycine in our genetic code, and leading to myriad health problems.

I hope others' reviews don't discourage others like me with a high-school diploma only from reading Seneff's book. It's accessible for a somewhat complicated topic. Also she has many interviews on-line and watching her in those offers good background.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of incredible and scary studies about glyphosate, a chemical that I would agree should not be applied in the quantities and extent that it is. The leap that the author makes from facts to conclusions was quite wide at times and made me very wary. This book would make a great example in an intro philosophy course, digging into the logic of the arguments being made. Well sited, but I found myself consuming a lot of salt with all of the statements sprinkled throughout that lacked any citation.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not giving this 5 stars because it’s an edge of your seat thriller or anything…

I give it five stars because I wholeheartedly believe in the importance of the message conveyed in this book. Glyphosate is a problem. A big one. We need to do better for our future and become more aware of the toxins in our food supply. We owe it to our children and our children’s children to bring more attention to this. The author’s extensive research and knowledge on the topic was evident throughout. Though very heavy on the science, this is an important read.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the microbiology within the book and how she breaks it all down. The audience intended maybe more for the science/medical crowd, but I think she tries her best to break things down for the layman. It’s really important to understand what has been going on the past 40 years and where we are headed. I’d suggest reading the chapter on celiac and the last chapter which is all the applications, if you don’t want to read the whole thing.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

DNF

I wish this had been written for a more general layperson audience, because I found the biology to be way over my head and struggled to understand much of it. Nevertheless, an important book on this too-ubiquitous toxic chemical that is lurking in our bodies and the environment. I found evidence of it in mine on an OAT test and have several chronic illnesses. The last chapter is useful about what can be done to mitigate its effects and prevent further harms.

[Kevin Vrieze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing science! As dire as the situation with this stuff is Seneff does give hope and present protocols to help one deal with its presence. Very similar to some covid treatment protocols. Also, thos book discusses some excellent suggestions for how to help the land recover from this scourge. Excellent read.

[Cuddlefish Is Spazzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. The author is truly able to articulate how & why glyphosate is dangerous and how we end up consuming it. The author is able to back up her claims with ample amounts of research. If you are interested in your health, farming, the agriculture, the environment, science, or you are concerned about chemicals you should give this book a read

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A near-sighted glorification of rot, bacteria, hunger, and starvation, simply because Seneff has the right skin color, and knows he won't have to bother with any of these issues, it's the brown people who will bare the burden.

[KDV · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very important book that I found scary and depressing and mostly hated reading. Much of the biochemistry went over my head. The what-you-can-do chapter is blessedly accessible and intuitive, and it ends on a positive note. The advice to stop wearing sunscreen seems like... really bad advice.

[Allee Koestner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting look at how glyphosate affects our health. However, the author gets really technical into body systems and chemistry. It was hard for me to follow. I felt I needed more chemistry background to be able to understand it.

[Byron Hsu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Computer scientists have zero expertise in agricuor glyphosates, which are safe in low concentrations. Water at high concentrations will kill you.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Horrifying

[SENGHONG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for us to know more about environment. And how it effects our health when it comes to modernity.

[Chelsea Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Well im not sure enjoyed is the right word given the subject material but it was an informative read.

[Lauraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book makes one wonder why we are so bent on self-harm and worse, why we are determined to leave such a terrible legacy to our children?

[Kailey Hickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some interesting information in here. But it sounds like we are lacking a lot of human studies and glyphosate is nearly impossible to study in a controlled and isolated way. :(

[Holly M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disconcerting, frightening, infuriating but necessary read