Scientists including Professor Bas Bloem of Radboud University Medical Center, as well as researchers from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment are calling for all pesticides to undergo strict tests to find out if they are safe to use or not. Although there is increasing evidence that pesticide exposure may play a role in the development of Parkinson’s, this has not been proved.
In an article entitled Towards Improved Screening of Toxins for Parkinson’s Risk, published in December in npj Parkinson’s Disease, the scientists proposed that both existing and new pesticides undergo a four-stage testing process to test their safety.
They propose that database research must first be carried out to show whether there are indications that a substance could damage brain cells. If so, the next stage is for laboratory research to test the effects of the pesticide on brain cells. If researchers find indications of undesirable properties in those experiments too, they must test the substances in animal species that bear little resemblance to humans, such as worms or flies. The final step involves exposing mice and rats to the pesticide.
One of the article’s authors, Prof. Bloem, said: “We are still largely in the dark about the safety of these drugs. The current admission criteria for pesticides provide insufficient insight into the risk of Parkinson’s and other brain diseases. We now propose a clear plan of action to properly assess safety.”
The researchers are now entering into discussions with industry and regulatory authorities to take their proposals forward.
The news comes after the European Commission consented to the use of the pesticide glyphosate for a further 10 years in November.
Parkinson’s Europe is sharing this article for information purposes only; it does not represent Parkinson’s Europe’s views and is not an endorsement by Parkinson’s Europe of any particular treatments, therapies or products.
