Glyphosate is a commonly used herbicide that also goes by the commercial name “Roundup” by Monsanto. It is used ubiquitously for grain & soybean cultivation across the United States of America and has been linked to a slew of health issues in humans and animals alike. This harmful chemical has found its way into the water supply and the air we breathe. I have written extensively on glyphosate’s interaction with the body, putting emphasis on how glyphosate exacerbates pre-existing toxicity.
Here is the original patent for those interested in learning more about this wicked herbicide.
Glyphosate’s Original Patent
US Patent No. 3160632A – as a descaler/chelating agent (attached PDF below)
U.S. Patent No. 3455675A – as an herbicide (attached PDF below)
U.S. Patent No. 20040077608A1 – as an anti-parasite/protozoa (attached PDF below)
U.S. Patent No. 7771736B2 – expanded the previous patent to expand it as a biocide (“bio-” = life, “-cide” = a substance that kills)
Information on the above patents, from GMO Free Partners:
Glyphosate Patents
1. Chelating Agent. U.S. patent number 3160632A, filed: January 30, 1961; awarded: December 8, 1964.
Inventors: Toy Arthur Dock Fon, Eugene H Uhing; Stauffer Chemical Co
Title: Aminomethylenephosphinic acids, salts thereof, and process for their production.
Glyphosate is a chelating agent, wetting agent, biologically active compound and chemical intermediate for the production of aminornethylenephosphonic acids and derivatives thereof. Due to its strong metal chelating properties, glyphosate was initially used as a descaling agent to clean out calcium and other mineral deposits in pipes and boilers of residential and commercial hot water systems. Descaling agents are effective metal binders, which grab on to Calcium, Magnesium and heavy metals to make the metal water soluble and easily removable. Later, Monsanto acquired the chemical and obtained a patent for its herbicidal properties. Once glyphosate is combined with a metal, it does not follow the normal degradation pathway and remains in the environment or biological systems for a long time. Glyphosate alone is a weak nephrotoxic substance. When it combines with arsenic or heavy metal, its nephrotoxic property is enhanced a thousand times.
———
2. Herbicide. U.S. patent number 3455675A, filed: June 25, 1968; awarded: July 15, 1969.
Inventors: Riyad Rida Irani, Mondanto Co.
Title: Aminophosphonate herbicides
This invention relates to a novel procedure for inhibiting the growth of unwanted plants. The invention is particularly directed to the use of a class of compounds which have selective phytotoxicity on grasses and other noxious weeds. The procedure is particularly effective in destroying established weeds. It has been found that a class of compounds not previously known to posses phytotoxic properties are particularly useful as selective toxicants when applied to leaves, stems, roots and other parts of living plants.
———-
3. Anti-microbial. U.S. patent number 20040077608A1, filed: August 29, 2003; awarded: April 22, 2004.
Inventors: William Abraham, Monsanto Technology Lic.
Title: Glyphosate formulations and their use for the inhibition of 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase.
Protozoan parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa include some of the most important causative agents of human and animal diseases, in particular, malaria. The discovery that an organelle found inside parasites of this phylum probably stems from a plastid of plant origin has stimulated research on the effect of chemical herbicidal agents on Apicomplexa. Importantly, the growth of these parasites can be inhibited by the herbicide glyphosate, suggesting that the shikimate pathway will make a good target for the development of new anti-parasite agents. The present invention discloses the use of the herbicidal agent glyphosate in combination with the polyvalent anion oxalic acid for the prevention and therapy of these pathogenic infections.
———-
4. Biocide. U.S. patent number 7771736B2 filed: August 29, 2003; awarded: August 10, 2010.
[…]
Biocide: Any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or mitigating any living organism (e.g., plant, animal). Examples of a biocide are: acaricide, arthropodicide, fungicide, insecticide, molluscicide, rodenticide.
———-
Grabs onto nutritional minerals, making them unavailable. Makes toxic elements even MORE toxic. Kills plants. Kills single-celled microscopic animals (aka protozoa). With all that background, would anyone expect this NOT to be toxic as it climbs up the food web?