Which biotech company blamed for bee collapse just bought the leading bee research company?

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By Dr Mercola

Bee colonies around the world are mysteriously disappearing, a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder (CCD). Since 2006, it is estimated that nearly a third of all honey bee colonies have simply vanished into thin air. Where are the bees going? What causes their devastating demise?

One theory above is that the genetic engineering of crops is involved, either by the genetically modified crops themselves, or by the pesticides and herbicides that accompany them.

Monsanto, which is the world leader in this kind of biotechnology, is probably not very happy with the recent accusations leveled against its product, so they took matters into their own hands and bought one of the major bee research companies. – one which conveniently lists its main objective as the study of colony collapse disorder.

If this isn’t the classic example of the fox guarding the chicken coop, I don’t know what it is.

Why your food supply depends on independent bee research

It is absolutely crucial for the food supply that the dedicated application of research can continue around colony collapse disorder. To get a sense of the scale of importance, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that without bees to act as pollinators, the United States alone could lose $ 15 billion in crops.^I

Do you like apples? And the beets? You’d better refuel now, because without the bees, these and the crops listed below will be gone. In all, bees pollinate at least 130 different crops in the United States alone, including fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Research on bees goes to wolves …

Beeologics claims its mission is to become the “keeper of the health of the bees in the world” and states its dedication to “restoring the health of bees and protecting the future from insect pollination” with for primary objective of controlling the settlement collapse disorder and the Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV). Monsanto bought the company in September 2011, just months before Poland announced plans to ban the cultivation of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) MON810 maize, poignantly noting that “the pollen from this strain could have a detrimental effect on bees. “ⁱⁱ

The continuing scourge of GM crops has been implicated in CCD for years. In a German study,ⁱⁱⁱ when the bees were released into a crop of GM rapeseed, then fed the pollen to the younger bees, the scientists found the bacteria in the intestines of the younger ones reflected the same genetic traits like those found in GM culture, indicating that horizontal gene transfer has occurred.

In addition, the new systemic insecticides, known as neonicotinoids, have become the fastest growing insecticides in the world. Two prominent examples, imidacloprid and clothianidin, are used as a seed treatment in hundreds of crops. Almost every genetically modified Bt corn is being treated with neonicotinoids.

Bee colonies began to disappear in the United States shortly after the EPA approved these new insecticides for sale. Even the EPA itself admits that “pesticide poisoning” is a likely cause of bee colony collapse.

These insecticides are very toxic to bees because they are systemic, soluble in water and very widespread. They enter the soil and groundwater where they can accumulate and remain for many years and exhibit long term toxicity to the hive. They enter the vascular system of the plant and are transported to all its parts, as well as to pollen and nectar. Neonicotinoids affect the central nervous system of insects cumulatively and irreversibly. Even tiny amounts can have profound effects over time. And little bees are exposed time and time again as pesticides become more and more necessary due to the inherent weaknesses of monoculture.

One of the observed effects of these insecticides is the weakening of the bee’s immune system.

Foraging bees bring the pesticide-laden pollen back to the hive, where it is eaten by all the bees. Six months later, their immune system is failing and they fall prey to natural infections of bees, such as parasites, mites, viruses, fungi and bacteria. This is because pathogens such as Varroa mites, Nosema, fungal and bacterial infections and VIAV are found in large quantities in honey bee hives on the verge of collapse. In addition to immune dysfunction and opportunistic diseases, honey bees also appear to suffer from neurological issues, disorientation, and impaired navigation.

A bee cannot survive for more than 24 hours if it becomes disoriented and unable to find its way back to the hive.

Even the butterflies are suffering … A decline in the monarch butterfly population in North America has been linked to the increase in plantings of herbicide-tolerant GM crops and overuse of the herbicide glyphosate, which is the key chemical of Monsanto’s Roundup.^iv Glyphosate kills milkweed, on which monarchs depend for their habitat and food.

GM crops lead to monoculture …

Monoculture is the cultivation of one type of large-scale cultivation. Where farms once consisted of several types of produce, pigs, chickens and cows, today you see miles and miles of corn and soybeans … Monoculture farming practices have unfortunately resulted in widespread abandonment of sustainable family farms and food produced locally, for industrialized agriculture, massive agricultural complexes and contained animal feed operations (CAFO), all driven by large companies whose main motivation is to maximize profit.

Monoculture increases dependence on chemical pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In fact, the use of GM crops like corn and soybeans (the United States leads the world in GMO crops, by the way) is the very definition of monoculture! Why is this an important point to remember? Because, ironically, Monsanto-owned Beeologics says directly on its website that large-scale monoculture and the use of pesticides are the main reasons bees die!

“Various factors have been implicated in the reduced ability of bees to survive in recent years, including scarcity of resources and poor nutrition, which are a key factor in bee and colony loss. Every doctor prescribes exercise and a healthy diet as preventive measures against the disease. . And every beekeeper knows that good forage over time is the ultimate cure. Bees, as a community, overcome almost any disease easily when the weather is favorable and the wildflowers bloom prolifically. However, in recent years, large-scale monoculture has resulted in a lack of natural weeds and too often pesticide-laden fodder. “^v

It will be interesting to see how long this information stays on their site, or if Monsanto realizes the irony of those words and gets it deleted … the problem, of course, is that now Monsanto will be able to massage any future ” research ”to ensure it exonerates their prized GM designs from any role in the CCD …

A recent Global Research article reports:

“Owning a major organization that has a strong focus on bee collapse and that is recognized by the USDA for its mission statement to” restore bee health and protect the future from insect pollination “could be very beneficial for Monsanto. In fact, information from the Beelogics Company indicates that the company’s primary goal is to study the very disorder of collapse that is believed to be the result – at least in part – of its own creations. of Monsanto. “

What can you do to help the bees?

The documentary film Disappearance of bees recommends four steps you can take to help preserve our bees:

• Support organic farmers and shop at local markets as often as possible. You can “vote with your fork” three times a day. [When you buy organic, you are making a statement by saying “no” to GMOs!]
• Reduce the use of toxic products chemical products in your home and on your lawn, and use organic pest control.
• Better yet, get rid of your lawn and plant a garden. Lawns offer very little benefit to the environment. Flower and vegetable gardens provide good habitats for bees.
• Become an amateur beekeeper. Having a beehive in your garden only takes about an hour of your time per week, benefits your local ecosystem, and you can enjoy your own honey!

If you want more information on bee preservation, the following organizations are a good place to start.

• Pesticide Action Network bee campaign ^we
• The Foundation for the preservation of honey bees^vii
• American Federation of Beekeeping^viii
• Help the bees^ix

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