Direct Comparison and Net Implications between Removing Glyphosate vs. Lowered Healthcare Costs
- Scale: Ag costs $1.9B–$15B vs. expanded health savings $8B–$18B+ (conservative; up to $50B+ if broader attributions). Glyphosate’s share of pesticide/EDC burdens could push savings higher.
- Net Societal Balance: Short-term ag losses persist, but added health savings (e.g., from ADHD/NHL) strengthen the case for net positives, especially with environmental gains. Rural/exposed populations benefit most.
- Uncertainties: Links are associative; savings assume reductions scale with exposure cuts. Innovation could lower ag costs over time. scholarsbank.uoregon.edu Policy (e.g., subsidies for alts) could bridge gaps.
