# US Jury Directs Bayer–Monsanto to Compensate Over $2 Billion in Roundup Cancer Case
A US jury has mandated Bayer–Monsanto to pay in excess of **$2 billion (£1.6 billion)** to a man from Georgia who asserts that the company’s **glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide** led to his cancer diagnosis. This momentous ruling contributes to the enduring legal and scientific discussions regarding the safety of **glyphosate**, the principal component in Roundup. Nonetheless, Bayer–Monsanto has pledged to contest the ruling, claiming that the verdict contradicts international regulatory and scientific evaluations.
## **Details of the Ruling**
The jury’s verdict comprises:
– **$2 billion in punitive damages**, intended to penalize Bayer–Monsanto for purported misconduct.
– **$65 million in compensatory damages**, intended to cover medical costs, lost wages, and suffering.
In spite of this significant financial judgment, legal analysts anticipate that the awarded damages might be greatly **reduced or nullified upon appeal**, as has occurred in prior analogous cases.
### **Historical Context**
This is not Bayer–Monsanto’s initial encounter with hefty compensations related to Roundup cancer allegations. In 2019, a jury granted more than **$2 billion** in damages to a couple in California, but the judicial system later **lowered the total to below $87 million**. Similar reductions have taken place in other legal proceedings due to caps on punitive damages.
## **Bayer’s Position**
Bayer–Monsanto vehemently opposes the jury’s ruling, asserting that it contradicts **approved scientific findings** and global regulatory endorsements. The company referenced numerous health and safety evaluations that have **not identified glyphosate as a carcinogen**.
> **Bayer Statement:**
> *”We contest the jury’s ruling, as it contradicts the substantial body of scientific evidence and the unanimity of regulatory bodies and their scientific evaluations globally.”*
The company remains optimistic about prevailing in the appeal process.
## **Continuing Roundup Litigation**
Bayer–Monsanto is currently involved in countless lawsuits from individuals alleging that **prolonged exposure to Roundup** triggered their **non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)** and various other cancers.
Despite a **$10 billion settlement agreement** in 2020 to resolve numerous cases, litigation persists:
– Over **181,000 claims** have been initiated.
– As of January 2024, **114,000 claims** have seen resolutions or dismissals.
– More than **60,000 lawsuits** remain in progress.
The corporation has experienced some success in its defense, reporting victories in **17 out of the last 25 trials**.
## **Glyphosate Debate**
### **Scientific and Regulatory Views**
The safety of glyphosate is the subject of heated discussions:
– The **International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)**, a division of the **World Health Organization (WHO)**, classified glyphosate as **“probably carcinogenic”** in 2015.
– Conversely, **authorities in the US, European Union, and other key organizations** have indicated that glyphosate is **unlikely to be cancer-causing** when utilized properly.
– A significant **2019 analysis by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)** also determined that glyphosate **does not present a significant cancer hazard**.
### **Influence on Farming and Industry**
Glyphosate is extensively utilized by farmers globally due to its efficiency in weed control and crop yield enhancement. Bayer continues to advocate for **Roundup’s significance in contemporary agriculture**, arguing that eliminating or limiting glyphosate could adversely impact food production and elevate costs.
## **What Lies Ahead?**
– **Appeal Process:** Bayer–Monsanto is committed to contesting the ruling, aiming to lessen or annul the financial obligation.
– **Ongoing Lawsuits:** With tens of thousands of **pending cases**, the corporation anticipates ongoing legal struggles.
– **Regulatory Oversight:** Discussions regarding glyphosate’s safety will proceed, impacting prospective regulations and legal results.
## **Final Thoughts**
The recent **$2 billion ruling** against Bayer–Monsanto escalates the ongoing debate surrounding Roundup. While numerous plaintiffs claim that **extended exposure to glyphosate** has resulted in cancer, **scientific evaluations and regulatory assessments are still at odds** on the matter. Bayer’s intended appeal, coupled with active litigation, ensures that the discourse over **glyphosate’s safety and corporate responsibility** will continue for many years to come.