Andrés Carrasco (1946–2014) was an Argentine molecular biologist and embryologist known for research that linked exposure to certain herbicide formulations with developmental abnormalities in laboratory embryos. He served as head of the Embryology Laboratory at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) and was a professor at the University of Buenos Aires. Born in Buenos Aires, he combined experimental developmental biology with public engagement on environmental health concerns.
Research focus and findings
Carrasco’s laboratory studied how chemical exposures affect early vertebrate development. He reported that commercial formulations containing glyphosate, the active ingredient in many herbicides, could produce malformations and physiological changes in exposed frog and chicken embryos under experimental conditions. He emphasized that his work examined formulation mixtures used in agriculture rather than pure glyphosate alone, and he raised questions about potential ecological and human health implications of widespread herbicide use.
Career, methods and roles
As a senior scientist with CONICET and an academic at UBA, Carrasco combined microscopic and molecular methods typical of embryology to document changes in tissue development and gene expression after exposure. His role included mentoring students, publishing peer-reviewed papers, and participating in scientific and public discussions about pesticide safety, regulation, and research priorities.
Impact and public debate
His findings attracted significant attention beyond the laboratory, contributing to public debates about agricultural practices, glyphosate-based products such as Roundup, and regulatory assessments. Supporters viewed his work as an important warning about unrecognized risks; critics questioned how laboratory results should be extrapolated to environmental exposures and human health. The research helped prompt further studies by other groups and highlighted the need for evaluating commercial formulations as well as active ingredients.
Legacy
Carrasco died of a heart attack on May 10, 2014. He is remembered for advancing embryological research in Argentina and for drawing attention to possible biological effects of agrochemicals. His work remains part of ongoing scientific and policy conversations about pesticide testing, environmental monitoring, and the precautionary handling of widely used agricultural products.