Where the H#!L are The Honey Bees?

The US honeybee population is disappearing at an alarming rate, an observation that doesn't bode well for our future food supply. The domestic honeybee population has decreased by 50% in the last 50 years. Although honeybee populations have a history of "ebb and flow," the current disappearance of honeybee colonies reported by beekeepers since Fall 2006 is unprecedented in numbers. US honeybees are simply disappearing, and in some states the "disappearing rate" is estimated as high as 70%. This far exceeds the usual "ebb and flow" that we have observed for 50 years. Something is seriously wrong with our honeybees.

Far removed as it may seem from our everyday lives, the honeybee is a critical link between humans and food. At estimated 30% of the US food supply depends on pollination from honeybees. One Cornell University study estimates that honeybees pollinate more than $14 billion worth of seeds and crops in the United States annually. From almond blossoms, avocados and alfalfa to cucumbers, kiwis and raspberries, "Every third bite we consume in our diet is dependent on a honeybee to pollinate that food," according to Zac Browning of the American Beekeeping Federation.

Many fruit and vegetable crops that depend on honeybee pollination could disappear unless something is done to protect the remaining honeybee population.

Why My B.S. (Bogus Science) Meter is Going Off "Big Time"!!!

The cause of this "honeybee disappearing act," scientifically called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), is uncertain. The CCD Working Group, comprised of researchers, apiarists and scientists from around the US, is scrambling to uncover the cause and cure for the "honeybee decline" before a US food shortage becomes imminent. Their theories about the decline include diseases spread as a result of mites and other parasites, widespread use of herbicides and pesticides which might be poisoning bees, or "bad honeybee diets" (many apiarists feed their hives glucose or corn syrup in Winter months). Any or all of these considerations are reasonable. One factor that this CCD Working Group is NOT currently considering is GMO-modified crops. In fact, they have specifically excluded GMO crops as a cause of the problem.

In countries where GMO crops for human consumption are outlawed until proven safe, studies have been done which show that GMO crops are a HIGHLY LIKELY CAUSE of CCD. One German study conducted at the University of Jena found that bees released on a field of genetically engineered (GMO) rapeseed (canola) took the pollen back to their hive, feeding it to young bees as it their habit. Scientists analyzing bacteria in the gut of the "baby bees" found that it contained the genes from those of the GMO-modified crops. That's no surprise, but what effect it might have in bees has never been studied. Studies have shown, however, that genetically modified corn is toxic to rats and cows. This does not bode well for the human food supply.

Don't you wonder why the US Working Group doesn't think GMO crops likely enough to even consider as a possibility of honeybee decline? Did you read the article on GMO food crops in this week's HealthBeat News? Fast summary: the US has more GMO crops than any of only four major nations that allow it: 66%, to be precise. Let's see: we have 66% of the "not yet proven safe" GMO crops, our honeybees are disappearing at an alarming rate, other countries have outlawed GMO crops until more is known about them, and we have "pre-decided" that GMO crops couldn't possibly be related to the disappearance of honeybees. I smell a rat. A dead, decaying, stinky, rotten rat lodged behind a hot-water-heater at body temperature (like that of the so-called "scientists"), where it is not only decaying, but fermenting as it decays. This disgusting, rotten smell is probably what is setting off my B.S. alarm. Do you smell anything rotten here, or do you think it's just me?

Some things are more challenging than others to make a dent in. Writing to the CCD working group to express your displeasure (or disgust) that GMO crops are not being considered as a possible cause of honeybee disappearance is unlikely to make any difference--- kind of like spitting in the ocean to get sea level to rise. Here here is something you CAN do that ultimately (if enough people join us), would make a difference. It might also make a big difference in your health, too. JUST SAY "NO" TO GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD. If US consumers stop buying food that is GMO modified OR if we stop buying food (especially produce) that we can't tell the "origin" of --- in other words, if we take away the financial incentive to grow and sell GMO food --- we might just be doing honeybees a huge favor. More importantly, until we know that such GMO foods are safe, we might be doing OURSELVES and the long-range health of the planet a huge favor.

OK, honeybee health concerns me if it means I won't be able to buy avocados or almonds in the future. I'm a survivalist at heart, first and foremost. More importantly, these GMO crops might not even be safe for me to eat, honeybee health aside. I'm looking out for # 1 here, friends, and that's the reason GMO foods are "off my list" until I am convinced that they're safe. I'm "just saying no" to GMO foods for the honeybees. I'm "saying no" for the possible health of the planet. And dam# it, I'm saying "No" for ME! I'm tired of being a guinea pig for Big Science, Big Government and Big Money. They can afford to pay their own darned guinea pigs. In the mean time, my easy micro garden system has already arrived and I'll be starting my super-simple vegetable garden (with "oh-so-much-satisfaction" included free) this week. And you can bet money that my "non-GMO 'mini garden'" will have a big "welcome friends" sign for the local honey bees!

References
1.) CCD Working Group Summary of Purpose and Responsibility (January 17, 2007).
2.) Fall Dwindle Disease (Now Renamed Colony Collapse Disorder). Mid-Atlantic Apiculture, research and Extension Consortium. http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/ColonyCollapseDisorder.html
3.) Map of states reporting serious reduced honey bee populations
4.) New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2007 Mar 13; [Epub ahead of print]