Monsanto is a multimillion dollar company owned by German multinational chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturer Bayer AG. Monsanto manufactures the 40 year old brand weedkiller Roundup. The key ingredient in Roundup is glyphosate the most widely used herbicide in the world. Glyphosate has been linked to a deadly type of cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. According to the childrensehealthdefense.org. a former groundskeeper developed cancer after exposure to Roundup.
Dewayne Lee Johnson took Monsanto to court in an effort to expose the truth of their deadly weedkiller chemicals. He was the first person in the world to go to trial against the mega corporation and win a jury verdict of $78.5 million, which was later reduced to $21.5 million according to sfchronicle.com. Monsanto ignored decades of scientific research showing that Roundup contained dangerous ingredients. Johnson’s case was the first to prove in court that the herbicide was dangerous. His verdict paved the way for other plaintiffs to bring legal action against Monsanto.
Carey Giliam is author of the book “The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man’s Search for Justice.” She discusses the book in childrenshealthdefense.org The Defender. Gilliam’s The Monsanto Papers tells Johnson’s story of struggling with terminal cancer after exposure to Roundup and her insights into Johnson’s legal battle against Monsanto.
Dewayne Lee Johnson’s story is an excellent case study of corporations being allowed to put profits over people and government failure to provide oversight. Government has a role to play to safeguard the public health and prevent people from exposure to harmful contaminants and hazardous materials. It is a cautionary message to government for shirking its responsibility. it is especially poignant as government allows pharmaceutical companies to distribute experimental COVID-19 vaccines while taking away people’s right to pursue damages.
NNV News Blog Writer Sister Rose Morris
