"Mounting scientific evidence links the pesticide paraquat to Parkinson’s disease, a debilitating and deadly brain disease on the rise in the US. Syngenta, the longtime international maker of the weed-killing chemical, knew of this link decades ago but spent the intervening years questioning and undermining research, internal corporate records obtained by The New Lede show. Now the company is facing thousands of lawsuits brought by people blaming the weed killer for causing Parkinson’s disease. 

TNL editor-in-chief Carey Gillam talks to lawyers, farmers, researchers and health advocates about paraquat’s devastating toll and the fight to hold Syngenta accountable."

Carey Gillam reports for The New Lede November 5, 2025. [2]