John McDonald, a bee keeper in Pennsyvania with a background in biology, speculated that genetically modified crops could play a role in CCD. Although the government constantly reassures us that these genetic manipulations are safe for both humans and the environment, his hope is that looking more closely at these issues might raise
- by: Patty Donovan
SHOOT: The reason environmentalists (like the folks at SHOOT) were concerned about GM was not because of what we know about GM, but what we don't know. Bio-engineering creates a variety of implications that may create more problems than solutions (for example disease and systemic imbalances). The focus ought to be on how human beings can change their lifestyles and numbers, but of course no one is ready to contemplate that until really we have no choice. And when one has no choice it really isn't a choice to change...
As the disappearance of honeybees continues, researchers are trying desperately to discover the cause of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). General concensus at this point is that there is more than once cause and the latest culprit may be genetically modified crops. This is one area of research being neglected as mainstream scientists insist GM crops are safe.
For the last 100 years, beekeepers have experienced colony losses from bacteria, (foulbrood), mites (varroa and tracheal) and other pathogens. These problems are dealt with by using antibiotics, miticides and and other methods of pest management. Losses are slow and expected and beekeepers know how to limit the destruction. This new mass die-off is different in that it is virtually instantaneous with no warning of the impending collapse.
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