Editor’s note: Big Tent Ideas always aims to provide balancing perspectives on the hottest issues of the day. Below is a column from lawyer Steve Milloy, where he argues that glyphosate is an essential herbicide in global agriculture and challenges scientific studies suggesting it to be cancer-causing. You can find a counterpoint here, where Farm Action Co-Founder Angela Huffman argues against legal immunity for companies that produce pesticides and highlights health risks that have been linked to the herbicide.
(DCNF)—The weed killer Roundup was recently at the Supreme Court, pitting trial lawyers against Bayer, the manufacturer of the widely used herbicide. The issue was whether congressionally mandated federal regulation of a pesticide pre-empts holding a company liable under state law for failure to warn about cancer risk.
The case puts the cart before the horse. What exactly is the cancer risk?
Used since the mid-1970s, Roundup, and its active ingredient glyphosate, has become the most widely used herbicide globally and domestically. While it is commonly used in residential and commercial settings to control weeds, the vast majority of Roundup is used to grow row crops like corn, soybeans and cotton.
Radical green groups began opposing Roundup in the 1990s as part of their campaign against genetical engineered (GMO) crops. So-called “Roundup Ready” crops were engineered to withstand the application of Roundup to crops, thereby increasing crop yields.
Though the campaign against GMOs largely failed, the radical green groups kept attacking Roundup, even though it had passed scrutiny by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under seven presidential administrations, Republican and Democrat.
That’s an impressive feat as EPA staff is known for being anti-pesticide and, in my experience, has no compunction about changing the rules to ban pesticides that become politically incorrect, which Roundup certainly has.
The greens had success in getting Roundup in the crosshairs of the United Nations’ International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC, pronounced “eye-ark”). In 2015, IARC concluded that Roundup’s key ingredient, glyphosate, was “probably carcinogenic.” No other regulatory body in the world before or since has made that determination.
Trial lawyers latched on the IARC ruling and began filing and winning, at first, multi-hundred-million dollar jury verdicts against Monsanto (the original manufacturer of Roundup) and, later, multi-billion-dollar jury verdicts against Monsanto and then Bayer, after Bayer bought Monsanto.
But investigators soon discovered that the IARC process had been rigged to exclude evidence favorable to glyphosate safety. One of IARC consultants was actually working on behalf of trial lawyers getting ready to sue Monsanto.
Nevertheless, the lawsuits and mind-boggling jury awards have continued and now the Supreme Court has been called to decide whether they are constitutional. A decision will likely come by the end of the Court’s term. But the question remains, does glyphosate cause cancer?
If it does, the anti-pesticide staff of the U.S. EPA has never been able to show it. And if the agency staff could have, it certainly would have.
My own review of the human and animal studies on glyphosate literature is that the best conducted human studies find no statistical association between glyphosate use and cancer incidence. The few that report an association are poor quality, biased and their results could easily be attributed to chance and methodological flaws.
There are no persuasive animal studies linking even extraordinary doses of glyphosate with cancer incidence.
All this is qualified by the reality that no human study, positive or negative, has actually includes measured exposures to glyphosate. No animal study is demonstrably biologically relevant to humans. Lab rats and mice are not little people, after all.
The bottom line is that Roundup and glyphosate have demonstrable value to society but cause no demonstrable harm, despite decades of the best efforts of its opponents.
While activist groups and trial lawyers are easy to blame for the threat posed to this safe and invaluable chemical, I lay the blame for this situation at the feet of the chemical industry. Decades ago, the chemical industry stopped vigorous factual defense in the media of its products in favor of feel-good messaging.
It’s easy to scare people about things they don’t understand, like pesticides. But the industry’s ongoing failure to defend its own products, especially in the face of aggressive attackers, is inexcusable.
Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer. He posts on X at @JunkScience.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
