Modern Disease Trends Correlate with Glyphosate Use Over 20 Years

This landmark correlation study by researchers Nancy Swanson, Andre Leu, Jon Abrahamson, and Bradley Wallet analyzed 20 years of U.S. government data to examine the relationship between glyphosate application on crops and the incidence of numerous chronic diseases. The study used USDA data on glyphosate usage and CDC data on disease incidence from 1990 to 2010.

The researchers found highly significant correlations (Pearson coefficients above 0.95) between glyphosate use on corn and soy crops and the rising rates of conditions including diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, bladder cancer, autism, Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, and intestinal infections.

While the authors are careful to note that correlation does not prove causation, the strength and consistency of the correlations across dozens of diseases, combined with known biological mechanisms by which glyphosate could contribute to these conditions, suggest that glyphosate exposure is a significant contributing factor to the modern disease epidemic.

Key Findings

• •Pearson correlation coefficients exceeded 0.95 for multiple chronic diseases plotted against glyphosate usage data over 20 years.
• •Diseases showing strong correlations include diabetes, obesity, thyroid cancer, liver cancer, kidney failure, autism, and Alzheimer's disease.
• •The rise in chronic disease incidence closely mirrors the adoption of glyphosate-tolerant GMO crops in the mid-1990s.
• •Hospital discharge data for intestinal infections showed near-perfect correlation with glyphosate application rates.
• •Death rates from senile dementia and Parkinson's disease tracked with glyphosate usage trends.

Methodology

The researchers used publicly available U.S. government datasets including USDA glyphosate application data and CDC disease surveillance data spanning 1990-2010. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for each disease-glyphosate pair. Time-series analysis controlled for population growth and reporting changes.

Why This Matters for Families

This study helps families understand why chronic disease rates have skyrocketed in recent decades. The temporal relationship between the introduction of GMO crops (sprayed heavily with glyphosate) and rising disease rates suggests that dietary glyphosate exposure could be a major contributing factor. Choosing organic foods may help reduce these risks.