Background and Justification

Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) commonly used to kill weeds. The Environmental Protection Agency, a highly credible organization, claimed that glyphosate is completely safe and free of risk. However, recent studies have identified potentially harmful effects associated with glyphosate exposure. Due to the controversy surrounding glyphosate, researchers suggest that it is important to further research the products containing it to understand its effects as a whole. 

Additionally, few studies have analyzed the in vitro (outside the body) effects of Roundup on cellular oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is a build up of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the cell. This can cause damage to cell structure and function. I chose to expose fibroblast cells specifically because they make up organ tissue, and therefore maintaining the structure is crucial.