Everybody is weary of Monsanto, even the World Health Organization. They deemed the biotech company's widely used weed-killer, a possible cause of cancer, back in 2015. The weariness over corporate planning predates that ruling by some ten years, but people generally feel helpless when it comes to staging the coup. One man in particular, Dewayne Johnson brought the fight to highest courts, because he evidently had very little to lose.
The former groundskeeper contracted a fatal form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma after years of performing his duties at a local school. Johnson claims he repeatedly sprayed large quantities of Monsanto’s Roundup weed-killer, doctors believe contributed to his terminal cancer. The retired groundskeeper isn't the only claimant, roughly 4,000 lawsuits staking the Monsanto claim are still pending in U.S. courts. Johnson's legal team contends that they've only brought to light a fraction of the wicked deeds Monsanto is guilty of covering up.
For "acting with negligence," Monsanto has been ordered to pay Johnson & his family a $289 million sum, a decision that will likely impact how biotech conduct themselves, as to appear properly vetted. Despite the ruling, Monsanto continues to defend their product line: "We will appeal this decision and continue to vigorously defend this product, which has a 40-year history of safe use and continues to be a vital, effective and safe tool for farmers and others," Monsanto VP Scott Partridge said.
