⁠Opinion : How lobbying undermines public health

A FEW years ago, as my wife and I leaned towards the idea of a quieter village life, we found ourselves speaking with farmers in Punjab. An elderly man, his face weathered by decades in the sun, said something that has stayed with me: "We trust what comes in the bottle. If the government allows it, how can it be unsafe?" His words reflected more than just farming practices. They revealed the deep reliance people place on regulatory systems and scientific authority. But what happens when those very institutions are swayed by lobbying, power or manipulation of science?Imagine this scenario — the WHO classifies a widely used agricultural chemical as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Studies show it causes cancer in animals and is linked to cancer in humans. US juries award billions of dollars to cancer patients who had been exposed. Internal documents reveal that the manufacturer knew of its risks but sponsored studies portraying it as safe. And when lawsuits mount, some US states even pass laws shielding companies from liability.What if this really happened? Without naming the chemical and the company — not to shield them — but because the point being made here is larger. The point is how regulation can bow to power, science is eroded and why India must pay close attention.Global lessons in litigationAcross the world, disputes over agricultural chemicals have become battles not only about science but also about accountability and justice. In the US, thousands of people have claimed that long-term exposure to a chemical contributed to their cancer. Juries agreed and awarded staggering sums; yet, many of these victories were short-lived. On appeal, awards were reduced or overturned, with courts citing a lack of definitive proof or contradictions between jury verdicts and regulatory assessments.Meanwhile, new legislative proposals surfaced at both the state and federal levels. In some US states, lawmakers passed laws granting manufacturers immunity from lawsuits so long as their product label had been approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).The manufacturer has also asked the US Supreme Court to declare that EPA approval overrides state-level "failure-to-warn" claims. If the court agrees, it will set a chilling precedent; regulatory approval would become a legal shield even when harm is undeniable.When science is not neutralAn unsettling element of these controversies is manipulation of science. Peer-reviewed journals are meant to represent the gold standard of credibility, yet investigations have revealed that some influential studies were ghostwritten by company employees and published under the names of scientists.One such paper, widely cited for decades, reassured regulators about the safety of the chemical. Only during litigation did the truth emerge. By then, the damage had already been done -- the paper had shaped regulatory decisions across the world.Once private interests infiltrate public knowledge and flawed research enters the scientific record, it spreads across borders and informs decisions in countries with fewer resources to conduct independent investigations. The consequences are not abstract. A fraudulent study can guide regulatory assessments, influence court arguments and shape international trade policies for decades.At its core, this debate is about power. Corporations with vast resources can hire lawyers, fund studies and lobby regulators. The average person does not stand a chance without collective action. Even when they win in court, appeals often strip them of their victories. This imbalance erodes trust. Regulators are expected to be neutral guardians of public health. But when agencies appear too close to industry, citizens lose faith not only in corporations but also in science and government itself.Why India can’t look awayIndia is not a bystander in this story. Agricultural products under scrutiny are widely used in India. Farmers, often with little training in safe handling, are the most exposed. Consumers face risks too, through residues in food and water.India often follows the lead of developed nations in shaping its policies. Sometimes, this serves us well. Global evidence on DDT's harms eventually pushed India towards bans. But over-reliance is risky. Policy decisions based on tainted science are problematic. In practice, choices made in Washington may end up dictating health outcomes in villages across Punjab, Maharashtra or Andhra Pradesh.The economic stakes are equally serious. If global markets reject Indian produce due to chemical residues, farmers bear the cost.Moving aheadThe issues of weak regulation and questionable science carry urgent lessons for India. Our regulatory system must evolve beyond product-quality checks to include long-term health and environmental safety. A comprehensive, REACH-like framework — long discussed but never fully realised — could help address these gaps.Equally vital is independent research. Public funding for toxicology studies, transparency in evaluations and open access to safety data would reduce reliance on imported science.India should also encourage innovation in safer alternatives to controversial chemicals while aligning with international standards to protect both public health and agricultural sustainability.Ultimately, the controversy is not about one company or one product. It is about whether science and regulation will rise to serve the public interest. India cannot afford to wait for global crises to spill onto its soil. By strengthening regulation, demanding transparency and investing in alternatives, India can protect its people and assert leadership in sustainable agriculture, ensuring public health is not compromised for profit.As that farmer reminded me years ago, people trust what comes in the bottle. It is up to scientists, regulators and policymakers to ensure that such trust is never misplaced.

⁠Opinion : How lobbying undermines public health

Once flawed science enters the record, it can shape policy and lives for decades.

Samir Malhotra

⁠Opinion : How lobbying undermines public health

Once flawed science enters the record, it can shape policy and lives for decades.

Samir Malhotra

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