Glyphosate litigation: Lawyer for affected family declares, 'It's not a final loss'; they appeal after losing court case against Bayer-Monsanto
Family of 18-Year-Old with Congenital Malformations to Appeal Glyphosate Case
A French family, whose son Theo Grataloup was born with congenital malformations, plans to appeal a court decision that dismissed their claim against Bayer-Monsanto. Theo, who has undergone 55 operations, was born in 2003, and his mother allegedly used Glyper, a generic of Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, based on glyphosate, to clear a horse-riding career in 2006.
The family's lawyer considers they have scored a first point in the judgment by obtaining the recognition of Monsanto as the product's supplier. However, the tribunal in Vienne (Isère) ruled in a judgment on Thursday, giving reason to Bayer-Monsanto. The court did not find glyphosate directly responsible for Theo's congenital malformations due to insufficient evidence.
The family is convinced of a "causal link" between glyphosate and Theo's disability. If successful, this would be a first for a child exposed in utero to glyphosate. The family's lawyer reminds that there is a first decision of the pesticides victims commission that recognized a possible link between exposure and malformations.
The main challenges in proving a link between glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and congenital malformations in court include establishing causation at the individual level, epidemiological and scientific evidence limitations, complexity of exposure assessment, lack of consensus in toxicology and regulatory opinions, and legal standards for proof.
Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world, was classified in 2015 as a "probable carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO). However, directly linking specific birth defects in a fetus to maternal glyphosate exposure is difficult.
The family's lawyer believes this procedure is a marathon and they remain determined to appeal. The appeal process may take two or three years of procedure. The family will need a purchase receipt or other evidence of the use of Glyper in 2006 to strengthen their case.
It is important to note that glyphosate has been banned in France since the end of 2018 for domestic use. The Duplomb Law, a legal case related to the link between neonicotinoids and human diseases, is ongoing.
The family accuses Bayer-Monsanto of being responsible for Theo's congenital malformations. Monsanto has consistently contested and denied its status as the product's supplier throughout the procedure.
[1] Source: French court case decision, 2025.
- The environment, as seen in the use of glyphosate, plays a significant role in health-and-wellness issues, such as the case of Theo Grataloup.
- The Grataloup family, dealing with a child affected by congenital malformations, plans to appeal a court decision regarding Bayer-Monsanto's herbicide Roundup.
- Theo, with 55 operations undergone and born in 2003, had his mother allegedly used Glyper, a generic of Roundup, to clear a horse-riding career in 2006.
- Sciencely, glyphosate was classified as a "probable carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2015, highlighting its link to potential chronic diseases and cancer.
- Proving a causal link between glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and congenital malformations is complex, as it faces challenges such as individual causation, epidemiological and scientific evidence limitations, and legal standards for proof.
- In the workplace-wellness sphere, the grape and pig farming industry, one of the main users of glyphosate, is under scrutiny regarding potential health risks, including respiratory conditions and digestive health.
- The family's lawyer suggests that mental health can be affected by the stress and anxiety that arise from dealing with these medical conditions and the complex legal process.
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- Aging factors, such as the skin-conditions that might develop with age, require attention for individuals like Theo.
- Women's health, a crucial focus area, includes reproductive health, and this case raises questions about the potential impacts of glyphosate exposure during pregnancy.
- Parenting, a demanding task in managing such medical conditions, becomes even more complex when dealing with congenital malformations and navigating the legal system.
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- The ongoing Duplomb Law case in France addresses the link between neonicotinoids and human diseases, further emphasizing the importance of environmental impact on health.
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