The Supreme Court has ruled that people may no longer be able to sue pesticide manufacturers under state law for failing to warn them about cancer risks.
The case involved Monsanto, whose weed killer, Roundup, has been linked to thousands of lawsuits. A farmer who developed cancer and won a $1.25 million judgment against the company had his win overturned by the Supreme Court, which ruled that a federal pesticide law overrides state warning requirements.
Critics are especially troubled because two of the justices had previously done legal work involving Monsanto, yet neither recused themselves.
At the same time, Congress is considering legislation that critics say would further strip states of their ability to regulate agricultural chemicals and livestock practices.
Supporters argue these decisions create one consistent national standard. Opponents say they remove one of the few legal protections that consumers have against dangerous chemicals in their food and water.
Read more about this story here.
