A Controversial Scientific Paper on Glyphosate Retracted After 25 Years
A highly controversial scientific paper that claimed the weed killer glyphosate, commonly known by its brand name Roundup, “does not pose a health risk to humans” has been formally retracted 25 years after its initial publication due to serious ethical concerns surrounding industry manipulation.
The decision to retract the paper comes eight years after a 2017 court case revealed that employees of the chemical company Monsanto, the original manufacturer of Roundup, were involved in ghostwriting the safety evaluation of the herbicide.
The retracted article, which asserted that Roundup did not cause cancer, endocrine disruption, or toxicity in humans, was published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology in 2000 by authors Gary Williams, Robert Kroes, and Ian Munro. This paper has been one of the most cited sources in scientific research related to glyphosate.
The retraction of this paper raises significant questions about the safety of Roundup, which was introduced by Monsanto in 1974 and later acquired by Bayer in 2018. Despite the retraction, Bayer continues to maintain that glyphosate is safe for use as directed.
Key Issues Leading to Retraction
The decision to retract the paper was based on several critical issues that call into question the academic integrity of the article and its conclusions. The lack of authorial independence, reliance on unpublished studies by Monsanto, and failure to disclose the involvement of Monsanto employees in the research were among the key concerns.
The retraction notice, published in November 2025 by the journal’s co-editor-in-chief Martin van den Berg, highlighted the need for clarity on the authors’ independence and accountability in the study. The lack of transparency regarding Monsanto’s influence and potential financial compensation received by the authors further undermined the credibility of the paper.
Concerns Over Glyphosate’s Safety
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used herbicides globally, employed by both industrial-scale farmers and home gardeners to eliminate unwanted weeds. The chemical is often used in conjunction with Roundup Ready crops, genetically modified plants that can withstand glyphosate exposure.
There are increasing concerns about the impact of glyphosate on human health and the broader environment. The retraction of the paper underscores the need for rigorous and independent research to assess the potential risks associated with glyphosate exposure.
Harvard scientist Naomi Oreskes highlighted the widespread influence of the retracted paper in academic literature, government documents, and even AI-driven information platforms. The conflicting assessments of glyphosate’s carcinogenicity by different health agencies further emphasize the need for comprehensive research on the herbicide’s safety.
Legal Ramifications and Ongoing Litigation
Bayer has faced significant legal challenges related to Roundup’s potential carcinogenicity, with billions of dollars paid out in lawsuits and numerous cases still pending. The retraction of the paper adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate over glyphosate’s safety.
While the original paper and retraction notice are published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, a review of the paper’s impact is available in the journal Science. The retraction serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and independence in scientific research, especially in cases where public health and environmental concerns are at stake.
