RISKS OF THE HERBICIDE GLYPHOSATE: SCIENTIFIC CONTROVERSY OR DENIAL OF HUMAN HEALTH DAMAGES?

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12662/2447-6641oj.v19i32.p267-295.2021

Keywords:

Pesticides, Future Damages, Glyphosate, Reflective Modernization, Health Risks

Abstract

Objective: This article aims to examine the scientific controversy regarding the pesticide glyphosate, which for many years was considered safe for human health and environmentally sustainable, but which is currently being questioned by science and by the law systems in relation to risks and future damage.

Methodology: The methodology used is systemic-constructivist, based on the contributions of Niklas Luhmann, which allows to examine how each system perceives the pesticide glyphosate. Regarding procedural techniques, systematic literature review, bibliographic, documentary and jurisprudential research were performed.

Results: The science system, by proving a correlation between glyphosate and human health damages, led society to movements ranging from the ban on pesticides in some countries to to billionaire compensation to victims brought by the legal system. However, there is a long way for the effective banishment of the most consumed pesticide in the world.

Contributions: This study examined data from the science system (scientific research), the political system (national and international regulatory agencies) and the legal system (actions and decisions in the judicial sphere). In doing so, it offers a reflection on the process of self-confrontation of the society with the risks it created when launching products, such as glyphosate, without sufficient research to indicate its safe use.

Author Biographies

Jeferson Jeldoci Pol, Universidade Feevale

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Qualidade Ambiental

Universidade Feevale

Doutorando em Qualidade Ambiental

Haide Maria Hupffer, Universidade Feevale

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Qualidade Ambiental

Curso de Graduação em Direito

Universidade Feevale

Pós-Doutora e Doutora em Direito pela UNISINOS

 

João Alcione Sganderla Figueiredo, Universidade Feevale

Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Pós-Graduação e Extensão

Programa de Pós-Graduação em Qualidade Ambiental

(Em aberto)

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Published

2021-08-06

How to Cite

POL, Jeferson Jeldoci; HUPFFER, Haide Maria; FIGUEIREDO, João Alcione Sganderla. RISKS OF THE HERBICIDE GLYPHOSATE: SCIENTIFIC CONTROVERSY OR DENIAL OF HUMAN HEALTH DAMAGES?. Revista Opinião Jurídica (Fortaleza), Fortaleza, v. 19, n. 32, p. 267–295, 2021. DOI: 10.12662/2447-6641oj.v19i32.p267-295.2021. Disponível em: https://periodicos.unichristus.edu.br/opiniaojuridica/article/view/3596. Acesso em: 20 sep. 2026.

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 32 (2021)

Section

Artigos Originais

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