They Can’t Silence this Scientist: Tyrone Hayes, Atrazine Whistleblower
Atrazine is the second most widely used herbicide in the world, only second to Glyphosate (the active ingredient in RoundUp). Why is Atrazine banned by in Europe but our Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it is safe?
On our show today, we spoke with Atrazine whistleblower, Professor Tyrone Hayes. Dr. Hayes, Professor of Integrated Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, was hired in 1997 by the makers of Atrazine, formerly Novartis and now Syngenta, to study the widely used pesticide, Atrazine. After concluding this study, Hayes found that Atrazine is an endocrine disruptor that interferes with reproduction and assaults male sexual development. Hayes’ published study further showed that Atrazine chemically castrates and feminizes male frogs at concentrations 30 times lower than levels allowed by the EPA.
Syngenta did not like Dr. Hayes’ results! They tried to purchase the data from him and hired scientists to try to refute the data. This escalated into an all-out assault on Hayes both personally and professionally. Syngenta waged a rigorous campaign to discredit him and his work, including threats to his life and his family, monitoring his email and following him to various talks. Hayes was aware of their tactics and spoke out about their unethical behavior. Later, this information was brought forward publically and was documented by papers revealed in a class action lawsuit against Syngenta brought by 23 Midwestern cities and farms regarding Atrazine in their drinking waters. These documents showed that Syngenta’s number one goal was to discredit Hayes and his work.
Syngenta sells more than $14 Billion dollars worth of seeds and pesticides a year and funds research at some 400 academic institutions around the world. Hayes spoke with us about his concerns for unbiased science in the face of these giant corporations who have the money to “pay for” science and manipulate the results to their best interest–not the interest of human or environmental health.
Hayes further shared his dire concerns on the revolving-door practices of agencies like the EPA and their lack of integrity in protecting the public against some of the harmful chemicals being approved through this agency.
Professor Tyrone Hayes could not and will not be bought!
Food Integrity Now applauds Professor Tyrone Hayes and other scientists like him who have integrity in their work–even in the face of the threats from big-agri bullies, like Syngenta!
Don’t miss this important and passionate interview with one of the true heroes of science. Click on the link below to listen.
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Thank you Prof Hayes. Thanks Carol for your webpage that keep us, the global family of healthy natural food informed. It is so sad to hear and read about the many farmers in South Africa that are being murdered and scared off their land by dangerous criminals and the SA police not doing more to protect them. This morning on More RSG they said that most South African farmers can only rely on themselves for security. The police appears to be employed for mainly the SA government and ANC rulers. The organisation for the protection of all human rights is getting involved now. Thank God.
You might also explore the Land Institute of Salina, Kansas for their perennial approach to farming.