How did Monsanto influence the 2000 Roundup safety paper?

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Monsanto's Undisclosed Influence on the 2000 Roundup Safety Study

Monsanto significantly influenced the 2000 study published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, which declared the weedkiller Roundup safe, through undisclosed contributions and potential ghostwriting by its employees. This influence was later revealed through internal corporate documents and has led to the retraction of the paper due to serious methodological and ethical flaws. The study played a crucial role in supporting the safety of glyphosate, the key ingredient in Roundup, for governmental and international bodies.
Undisclosed Contributions and Ghostwriting Allegations

Internal corporate documents from 2017 litigation revealed that a Monsanto scientist admitted to "ghostwriting" the 2000 paper. Further evidence suggested substantial employee involvement, with one Monsanto scientist proposing to offer "Roundup polo shorts as a token of appreciation" to the team that worked on the paper, indicating a level of contribution beyond mere acknowledgement. While Monsanto maintains its involvement did not constitute authorship and was appropriately disclosed in the acknowledgments, these internal communications suggest a more direct and influential role.
Methodological and Ethical Flaws Cited in Retraction

The journal editor-in-chief, Martin van den Berg, cited several serious flaws in the retraction note, including the failure to incorporate available carcinogenicity studies at the time of publication. Additionally, the note pointed to undisclosed contributions by Monsanto employees and raised questions regarding financial compensation related to the study. These issues collectively undermine the scientific integrity and independence of the research.
Long-Standing Concerns Regarding Conflicts of Interest

Criticism regarding the paper's integrity and potential conflicts of interest dates back to 2002. At that time, critics wrote to the journal's publisher, Elsevier, highlighting concerns about a lack of transparency, editorial independence, and undisclosed conflicts of interest specifically related to Monsanto's involvement. Despite these early warnings, the paper remained influential for over two decades until its recent retraction.
The Study's Impact and Subsequent Retraction

The 2000 paper was highly influential, frequently cited by various governmental and international bodies, including the Canadian Forest Service and the European Parliamentary Research Service, as evidence supporting the safety of glyphosate. Its retraction, after 25 years, signifies a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of glyphosate and its potential health risks, particularly in the context of numerous cancer lawsuits.

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How did Monsanto influence the 2000 Roundup safety paper?

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