Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The BEE-ALL And End-All Of It All.


Are GM Crops Killing Bees?

A mysterious decimation of bee populations has German beekeepers worried, while a similar phenomenon in the United States is gradually assuming catastrophic proportions. The consequences for agriculture and the economy could be enormous.
As far back as 2005, Haefeker ended an article he contributed to the journal Der Kritischer Agrarbericht (Critical Agricultural Report) with an Albert Einstein quote: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."
So perhaps if our very own Dr Barry O'Neil (previous post) were to have his way he may just realise the very opposite result he has stated ... not feeding the world at all.


3 comments:

ZenTiger said...

Look, this stuff is rigorously tested, and there is no chance nin getting it wrong. I mean, if random evolution can create some kind of balanced biosystem, then it can't be too hard to make a few improvements.

Besides, in the unlikely event we stuff up, there would be an official apology and Al Gore would be first to make a video of it.

--Not only that, but personally, I like bees too. I have heaps visit my overgrown quarter acre section. I'm loathe to manicure the lawns as it gives them less to work with. I've fibbed and said it was to save petrol - but now I feel the time is right to declare my support for the bee and name and shame Monsanto as one of the ring leaders in this un-bee-leivable mess.

Barnsley Bill said...

I think a buildup of pesticides is a more likely source.

mojo said...

Indeed BB, pesticides. Bt is a bacteria that does just that ... it was used in Auckland for gypsy moth as you may recall and it is this that is incorporated in to the plant via gm