Quote from Bitstream:
be careful or you'll be branded a conspiracy theorist with these "far fetched ideas".
Quote from arealpissedgoy:
interesting theory.
Quote from FightTheFuture:
I'm not afraid to be called a CTer!
Genetically modified crops are another product looking for a reason to exist. Sort of like microsoft and their Windows Vista. All kinds of hype and promotion over a product that looks like causes more problems than it's worth.
As far as GM crops causing the massive die-off of bees, it looks like it might not be the major cause, but I'm sure GM crops must be suppressing the bee's immune system as researchers have found. Add GM crops to the long list of substances, chemicals, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, etc., to make them and all of US weaker and more susceptible to common infections.
Each chemical alone when tested on animals may not show harmful effects, but when several chemicals are consumed by the host, a synergistic effect occurs.
Take even two "natural" substances like mercury and aluminum. Experiments have been conducted by feeding rats enough of one or the other element at a low dosage to get 1% of the test subjects to die. Then feed the same low dosage of each of the mercury and aluminum together and no longer do you have 1% of the subjects dying, you have 100% dying!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_Collapse_Disorder
At present, the primary source of information, and presumed "lead" group investigating the phenomenon, is the Colony Collapse Disorder Working Group,[4] based primarily at Penn State University. Their preliminary report pointed out some patterns, but drew no strong conclusions.[6]
Some researchers have commented that the pathway of propagation functions in the manner of a contagious disease; however, there is some sentiment that the disorder may involve an immunosuppressive mechanism,[12] not unlike the analog of HIV in humans, potentially linked to the aforementioned "stress" leading to a weakened immune system. Specifically, according to researchers at Penn State: "The magnitude of detected infectious agents in the adult bees suggests some type of immunosuppression."
http://www.celsias.com/blog/2007/03/29/european-bees-taking-a-nosedive/
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: âIf 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.â
Quote from Hydroblunt:
Not a theory.
Right now, Monsanto is working hard on getting third world agriculture dependent on its GMO "suicide seed". Highly resistant to pests, but does not reproduce. This way, every year the farmers have to keep paying Monsanto fees to get the next batch, instead of just letting the natural seed reproduce.
Quote from austinp:
<b>infolode</b>, this email from our group talks about the local area growers. My part of NYS is #2 production of apples and #3 production of grapes in the U.S.
<i>"Beekeepers,
One of our local associates will be testifying. .....Rich
TODAY'S TOP STORIES
Testimony slated on bee disorder
By JANICE BULLARD PIETERSE
Rochester Business Journal
March 28, 2007
Hamlin beekeeper James Doan is scheduled to testify before a House subcommittee Thursday on potential devastation to Rochester area crops due to pollination problems caused by a growing disorder among bees.
Doan will testify during a session of the subcommittee on honey bees, dairy and organics. Robert King, director of the newly formed Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute at Monroe Community College, said a disease known as Colony Collapse Disorder is destroying bees across the country. Bees pollinate a third of the food most people eat, King estimates.
"Without honey bees, Monroe County (New York) would suffer a $2.5 million loss in apples, pumpkins, strawberries and squash alone," King said. The MCC institute is advocating for further research and insurance for local beekeepers.
"We need a national bee disease survey to know what pests and diseases we need to guard against," said Doan, who provides pollination services to farms in the area.
Analysis of bees has shown foreign fungi, bacteria and weakened immune systems, the MCC institute states."</i>
**
It appears the afflicted bees become weakened and disoriented by something. Whether that is bio-engineered crops with built-in pesticide, fungicide or some unknown disease remains a mystery.
Bees in Europe and the U.S. are in serious trouble. They are responsible (and irreplacable) for polinating a great percentage of our edible crops, feed and flowers of all descript. Subtract 1/4 to 1/3 of our gross annual produce yield in North America, see what that does to CPI readings. Food products dependent on fruits & grains, which include all meat and dairy products would soar in price.
We can always cut back on gas & oil consumption. How far back do you cut down on food?