How does the GMO-friendly scientific community respond to the potential connection between increased Glyphosate use and Autism prevalence? (Don't use the tired NT response that the DSM is more inclusive - if the current rate of Autism, 1 in 88, existed decades ago - and if the primary reason was improved diagnosis - we would see a population of adults with Autism that is much larger than today. This claim has been refuted time and time again.) So, how does the industry explain that GMO's have increased the use of Glyphosate, not reduced it as initial claims suggested. How does the industry explain the fact that many independent researchers and scientists are connecting the dots to demonstrate that Glyphosate residue is damaging to our environment, overall health, and is now found in rain and water tables around our country? (Refer to USGS for proof of Glyphosate contamination that's out of control: http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2909&fb_source=message, Refer to http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/WAPF_Slides_2012/Offsite_Seneff_Handout.pdf, http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/glyphosate/glyphosate.html, http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/15/4/1416, http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/)

Expert response from Andrew Kniss

Associate Professor of Weed Ecology & Management, Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Wyoming

Monday, 19/08/2013 13:09

There is simply no reason to believe that there is any link between increased use of glyphosate and increased prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Certainly, glyphosate use has increased due to widespread use of glyphosate-resistant crops. And there also appears to be an increase in the prevalence in ASD over the same time period. But just because two things happen at the same time, does not mean there is a causal relationship (or any relationship, for that matter). For example, between 1997 and 2007, deaths from cardiovascular disease declined 28 percent; but there is no reason to believe increased use of glyphosate was responsible for that change, either. There is no credible hypothesis for how glyphosate exposure might cause ASD. Emily Willingham, a research scientist who often writes about autism, points out that the balance of evidence indicates that “diagnostic substitution and enhanced awareness and recognition are the main drivers” of the increase in ASD prevalence. She also says there is “little published evidence” to support the idea that pesticide exposure is associated with ASD diagnoses.