Buzz kill - It's been a while since I posted anything on the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) affecting many American bee colonies. That is in part to a lack of headway in understanding what is causing the disorder.
Today I looked and found this news article from the Star-Gazette by Olivia Johnson.
Scientists around the world have been hunting for the source of this bee decline, and according to studies conducted by the Organic Consumers Association, genetically engineered crops may be to blame. Many genetically adapted plants have been modified to contain b.t., or Bacillus thuringiensis -- a naturally occurring bacterium that produces crystal proteins that are lethal to insect larvae.
When a honeybee interacts with pollen treated with b.t., the immune system of the insect is shut down and the bee is then much more susceptible to bacteria and viruses. In addition, b.t. has proved to affect the bee's fertility, resulting in fewer offspring. In some parts of the country, the bee population has decreased as much as 35 percent within the last year, and almost 50 percent in the last 10 years, according to the USDA.
Something to think about. If it's killing insects I wonder if it affects humans over large periods of time?
