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Why was 1970 a turning point in agriculture? What secrets does the story of the discovery of glyphosate reveal?
Glyphosate, a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide, has had a profound impact on global agriculture since it was first discovered in 1970. Glyphosate was synthesized as early as 1950 by Swiss chemist Henri Martin, but its true potential was revealed after its independent discovery by the American company Monsanto in 1970. Soon after, glyphosate was introduced to the market as Roundup in 1974 and was quickly widely adopted by farmers, becoming a game changer in the agricultural industry.
The discovery of glyphosate has improved crop production efficiency, especially in terms of combating pests and diseases.
Glyphosate works by inhibiting an enzyme in plants - 5-acylhydroxycoumaryl-3-phosphate synthase, which makes glyphosate only effective on growing plants. The success of this class of herbicides lies not only in their ability to control major weeds, but also in the fact that their use has enabled farmers to use glyphosate-resistant crops, meaning they can effectively remove weeds without damaging their crops. For these reasons, the frequency and volume of glyphosate applications worldwide increased 100-fold between the late 1970s and 2016, and are expected to increase further in the future.
While glyphosate use has had many successes in agriculture, it has also been accompanied by ongoing concerns about its impacts on human health and the environment. In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A), an evaluation that sparked widespread discussion and reflection. On the other hand, the European Food Safety Authority said that glyphosate itself is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic threat to humans.
"Glyphosate has brought about a qualitative leap in agricultural production, but its safety remains an issue worthy of attention."
In addition, the environmental impact of glyphosate is also an important consideration. Its degradation pathway in soil is mainly hydrolysis to form iminomethylphosphonic acid, and it is non-specifically decomposed by soil microorganisms. Studies have shown that the half-life of glyphosate in soil can be up to 197 days, although this depends on soil and climate conditions. Its half-life in water is more variable, ranging from a few days to several months. The widespread use of glyphosate and its potential persistence mean that environmental regulators must continually assess the chemical's impact on the ecological environment.
During the production and use of glyphosate, certain impurities are inevitably produced. Technical grade glyphosate should usually contain no less than 95% glyphosate, however, impurities such as formaldehyde and N-nitrosoglyphosate are considered to be potentially toxic substances, which makes glyphosate's safety The issue has received more scrutiny.
Many scientists and policymakers have called for greater caution and regulation in the use of glyphosate.
In this history of glyphosate, there is no doubt that the discovery and application of glyphosate has changed the way of agricultural production and promoted global food security. But behind the investment and profits, the discussion on environmental protection and health is still ongoing. Faced with various contradictory research results, many people began to reflect on whether this chemical, once regarded as the "perfect herbicide", is really worthy of such widespread use?
The story of glyphosate shows us the contradiction between scientific and technological progress and moral considerations. When faced with the choice between agricultural output, ecological environment and public health, can we find a sensible balance?
