Letters to the Editor: School districts made decision based on science, coyote program slated

On April 27, the Los Angeles Times carried an opinion piece. “No, California, Roundup Won’t Give You Cancer.” The authors characterized the State of California as “chemophobes” for requiring Prop. 65 warnings on Roundup. They claimed the decisions of the Glendale, Burbank and Irvine school districts to ban Roundup were prompted by “mania.” They conveniently ignored the revelations of Monsanto’s conduct in stymieing further independent research into the hazards of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, Monsanto’s most profitable product.

In mid-March both the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported the release of emails ordered in a lawsuit against Monsanto. The emails revealed that an EPA employee tipped off a Monsanto executive about the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s investigation that linked glyphosate to cancer. That led to Monsanto’s preparation of a public relations assault before the report was released. In those emails Monsanto executives claimed that the same EPA employee promised to beat back an effort by the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct its own investigation. No such investigation ever occurred. The emails also referred to a proposal to “ghostwrite” academic articles on the safety of glyphosate.

Monsanto comes to the court of public opinion with unclean hands. Its concerted efforts to thwart further scientific investigation do more to establish the health hazards of glyphosate than its continuing public relations assault can refute.

Glendale and Burbank school districts’ decisions are in accord with the best scientific evidence currently available, the IARC study. Far from being criticized, the districts should be applauded.

Mary-Lynne Fisher
La Crescenta

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Northwest Glendale Homeowners Assn. and the Glendale Police Department have teamed up to present a special community program on how we can live in harmony with the coyote population.

Cathy Schoonmaker, Urban-Wildland Specialist with the National Park Service, will speak at Brand Library’s Auditorium, 1601 W. Mountain St., on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

Ms. Schoonmaker has over 10 years’ experience working with our native Southern California wildlife and her focus is on coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions. In order for us to coexist with these animals, she will provide tips and tools. Everyone is encouraged to attend this free event.

Carol Brusha
Board Member, NWGHA
Glendale