On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Roundup transformed farming in the U.S. Could it change regulation too?
May 6, 2026
Ben Felder, investigative reporter who mapped pesticide use and cancer patterns in Midwestern farming counties. Carrie Gillum, investigative journalist and author who has long reported on Monsanto and glyphosate. They trace Roundup's rise, how glyphosate reshaped no-till farming and rural economies, and the science, industry tactics, and high-stakes legal fight over warnings and liability.
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EPA Found Glyphosate Unlikely To Be Carcinogenic
- The EPA's 2020 assessment found glyphosate unlikely to be a human carcinogen when used per label instructions.
- That official finding contrasts with independent studies and fuels the litigation and regulatory dispute.
Monsanto's Documented Campaign To Silence Critics
- Internal Monsanto documents show aggressive campaigns to discredit critics and silence scientists and journalists.
- Carrie Gillum says the company maintained spreadsheets and plans specifically to 'take down' critics including reporters.
Regulatory Science Split Between Industry And Independents
- Independent academic studies and IARC classified glyphosate as 'probably carcinogenic' in 2015, while many regulators relied more on company-submitted studies.
- Gillum cites emails showing Monsanto sent talking points to EPA and sought to influence federal reviews.
