Computer scientist Stephanie Seneff proposes questionable theory linking glyphosate to autism

[Editor’s note: Stephanie Seneff, co-author of this paper, is a controversial MIT computer scientist and anti-GMO critic who has advanced several theories about the supposed detrimental health effects of glyphosate. You can read more about Seneff here and myths about the causes of autism in David Warmflash’s GLP article: Autism: No, it’s not caused by glyphosate or circumcision, but is likely in our genes.]

The prevalence of autism has been rising at an alarming rate in the United States over the past two decades… The pattern of this rise is extremely well matched temporally to the rising use of glyphosate on corn and soy crops….

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In this paper, we develop the hypothesis that glyphosate’s potential link to autism can be explained in part through an adverse effect on the thyroid gland of both the mother and the child during gestation.

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It was proposed that manganese chelation by glyphosate can explain a number of human pathologies that are currently on the rise, including autism. … Here, we focus on the effects of manganese deficiency on the disruption of phosphatase activity, and the ramifications leading to low thyroid activity.

We acknowledge that we have not yet proven that glyphosate/GFH [Glyphosate-formulated herbicide] exposure from common food and beverages causes human autism. On the other hand, we have perhaps highlighted glyphosate’s/GFH’s molecular potential, through a set of deduced mechanisms. This theory will have served its purpose if it spurs appropriate future research, including as outlined above. … Regardless, mothers are advised to consume and feed their family an organic diet as a precautionary measure.