World's most popular weed killer probably causes cancer | 60 Minutes Australia

When you think of the alarming public health scandals the world has endured, the curse of tobacco and asbestos quickly comes to mind. But now there seems to be another toxic villain, and incredibly, it’s likely to be sitting on a shelf in the backyard shed of most Australian families. Four years ago, the World Health Organisation warned that the herbicide Glyphosate, the main ingredient in weed killer Roundup, probably causes cancer. Created by chemical giant Monsanto, Roundup is the most widely used weed killer on Earth, sprayed on everything from tiny flower beds to vast fields of crops. Now, in a series of landmark verdicts, juries in America agree the stuff can kill. With the legal floodgates open, and the first Australian case looming, farmers and gardeners are holding their breath.

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For forty years, 60 Minutes have been telling Australians the world’s greatest stories. Tales that changed history, our nation and our lives. Reporters Liz Hayes, Allison Langdon, Tara Brown, Charles Wooley, Liam Bartlett and Sarah Abo look past the headlines because there is always a bigger picture. Sundays are for 60 Minutes.

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