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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Does some evidence suggest a link between the use of glyphosate and an increased risk of autism and cancer?

By Lisa Freedland
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YES

Research on glyphosate, an herbicide that regulates crop growth, has found that the compound could be linked to increased risk of cancer and autism.

One 2020 study found that children of mothers exposed to significant glyphosate levels during pregnancy could face increased risk of autism spectrum disorder, though the underlying mechanisms causing the risk are “largely unknown.”

In 2015, the International Agency for Cancer Research concluded that exposure to glyphosate (usually observed during farming) is likely to be carcinogenic in humans. A 2016 study concluded that the consumption of glyphosate in food is unlikely to be carcinogenic.

A March 2021 report from the U.S. State Department expressed support for Colombia's aerial eradication program of its coca crop, a source of cocaine. The program historically involves spraying glyphosate on coca farms.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Maternal glyphosate exposure causes autism-like behaviors in offspring
World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer—Monograph on glyphosate
World Health Organization Meeting on pesticide residues
US Department of State International narcotics control strategy report
Reuters Colombia to restart aerial fumigation of coca crops
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.