A former Purdue University professor is at the center of a national controversy over claims that a popular weed killer could cause health problems in livestock and is linked to plant disease outbreaks.
A former Tippecanoe County resident and retired Purdue plant pathologist, Don M. Huber, published an open letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack online last week warning that if something isn't done soon, the collapse of the national agricultural infrastructure is at stake.
Amongst Huber's contentions are that Roundup Ready corn and soybeans -- seeds genetically engineered with glyphosate to be resistant to the herbicide commercially known as Roundup -- are linked to a new pathogen.
The pathogen "appears to significantly impact the health of plants, animals, and probably human beings," wrote Huber, who worked at Purdue from 1971 to 2006. "Based on a review of the data, it is widespread, very serious, and is in much higher concentrations in Roundup Ready soybeans and corn -- suggesting a link with the (Roundup Ready) gene or more likely the presence of Roundup. This organism appears new to science."
Sensational claims, current Purdue researchers say, but unfounded.
Bill Johnson, a Purdue extension weed scientist, said until Huber's letter he had never even heard rumors of Roundup causing these problems.
"It is very surprising that they are coming up now," Johnson said. "Roundup Ready has been used for over 30 years. There has never been anything like this that has surfaced before."
But news of Huber's letter has spread quickly. Indiana farmers have called Johnson and approached him after meetings with questions about the claims.
Huber's letter, dated Jan. 17, began appearing widely last week on agricultural websites and blogs -- some backing the professor emeritus and others questioning him.
In the letter Huber writes a "diverse set of researchers" have confirmed the presence of the pathogen in livestock that have had spontaneous abortions.
He asks Vilsak to conduct a multi-agency investigation into glyphosate since it may have facilitated the growth of the pathogen, which is so small it can only be seen by electron microscope.
To aid farmers, Purdue has responded with its own report.
Peter Goldsbrough, department head of Purdue's Botany and Plant Pathology department, Johnson, and four others authored the short overview on glyphosate -- the key ingredient on Roundup Ready.
"We wanted to point out the evidence that we are aware of on glyphosate and Roundup Ready crops and on disease and nutrient management with some of these crops."
The report states that under certain conditions glyphosate can make plants more susceptible to disease, but there is only limited research to suggest increased disease for Roundup Ready corn or soybeans.
"The take home message is the sensationalist claims are unfounded," Johnson said.
Goldsbrough and Johnson agreed that in nature, anything is possible, but they are frustrated that Huber has not provided the data or identified the scientists behind the claims.
"I asked him over the weekend and he said no, he wouldn't tell me," Goldsbrough said.
Huber, who lived in West Point, is now in Idaho. The Journal & Courier was unable to reach him Tuesday.
He is a coordinator for the American Phytopathological Society, part of the USDA National Plant Disease Recovery System.
Roundup and Roundup Ready seeds are creations of Monsanto, an agricultural biotechnology corporation. The products are widely used in the United States.
In a statement, the company said the existence of pathogen damaging corn and soybean production is contrary to extensive data, as are the claims of an increase in genetically modified crops.
But critics are not so sure.
Judith McGeary, the executive director of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Foundation who published Huber's letter, said she agrees with Huber that more research needs to be done.
"That is the responsible thing. There needs to be studies done before more Roundup ready crops are approved."
Recently the USDA announced farmers can plant Roundup Ready alfalfa.
What will happen next with Huber's claims is uncertain.
It has been reported the USDA will respond directly to Huber and not publicly through the media.
Goldsbrough and Johnson said for them, they will follow the scientific process.
"The next step will be based on if any of the sensationalist claims can be proven or if they are retracted," Johnson said. "If more evidence is brought forth and is sound, then it warrants investigations for additional scientists."
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