Missouri Jury Began Roundup Cancer Trial
A court case involving three cancer patients has started as thousands of claims remain pending against Bayer.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Cancer
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A Missouri jury has begun hearing a trial involving three cancer patients who allege that Monsanto failed to adequately test the herbicide Roundup. The plaintiffs, Theresa Aretino, Cynthia Fernandez, and Betty Larkin, contend the product is defectively designed and caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Why it matters
This trial highlights the persistent legal challenges facing Bayer regarding its herbicide products following its 2018 acquisition of Monsanto. The outcome carries significant implications for the company as it navigates approximately 65,000 pending lawsuits nationwide.
The trial involves three cancer patients, while Bayer currently faces approximately 65,000 legal claims in United States courts. A proposed $7.25 billion class action settlement remains under court review.
The players
Bayer
Bayer is a multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company that acquired the agrochemical manufacturer Monsanto in 2018.
Monsanto
Monsanto was an American agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation that is now a subsidiary of Bayer.
Theresa Aretino
Theresa Aretino is one of the cancer patients serving as a plaintiff in the ongoing Missouri lawsuit.
Cynthia Fernandez
Cynthia Fernandez was a cancer patient and plaintiff in the lawsuit who died before trial proceedings began.
Betty Larkin
Betty Larkin is a plaintiff and cancer patient participating in the current legal action against the manufacturer of Roundup.
The details
Plaintiffs argue that Monsanto failed to conduct necessary testing on Roundup before releasing it to the public, leading to non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Conversely, Bayer maintains that decades of regulatory studies conclude the active ingredient, glyphosate, is safe for use.
Timeline
Bayer acquired Monsanto in 2018.
The US Supreme Court issued a ruling on labeling claims in June 2026.
Trial proceedings began in a Missouri court on September 29, 2026.
The EPA is expected to complete its re-evaluation of glyphosate by the end of 2026.
The Big Picture
This case follows the precedent set by the 2026 US Supreme Court ruling on federal law regarding warning label lawsuits. The current proceedings examine whether the plaintiffs can establish liability despite that ruling limiting certain legal claims against manufacturers.
The legal outcome may influence future warning labels and safety information provided on common household herbicides. Residents should remain aware of safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and regulatory agencies when using chemical products.
The takeaway
Ongoing litigation underscores the complexity of weighing decades of regulatory study against consumer health reports regarding chemical safety. Readers should prioritize following the latest guidance from the EPA regarding the safe handling of glyphosate-based products.
What happens next
The EPA is scheduled to complete its ongoing re-evaluation of glyphosate by the end of 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal and medical developments, visit the Cancer section.
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