Colony Collapse Disorder: Not caused by GM foods

 BCCD (Bee Colony Collapse Disorder) is a relatively recent phenomenon with unknown causes, the effect being the widespread disappearance of bee populations. Since 2006, BCCD has affected colonies throughout North America and beyond, threatening roughly 1/3 of human food sources which rely on pollination by bees. This problem gain’s its importance by the number of people it potentially affects, and the estimated resources that would be required to combat the problem. By taking steps to combat the problem now, we can avoid potentially disastrous future consequences.

BCCD represents a somewhat unprecedented precipitous decline in bee populations, the characteristics of which are unique. Since the decline has been identified, it may be tempting to attribute any colony with a decrease in population, or any disappearance to BCCD, but it should be noted that bee populations normally decline somewhat, and any individual case may not be BCCD, assuming that is, that BCCD itself has a single cause. Some the the characteristics of BCCD include the disappearance of bees without leaving dead bees in the area, leaving unhatched eggs, and food behind, and other bees not robbing the hive of honey for an unusually long period of time (Canadian Honey Council).

A number of explanations have been offered for BCCD, none of which is a clear causative factor. Indeed, it seems as though the pet peeve of every group of investigators has become a potential causative factor. For example, the BT (Bacillus Tharingenis) endotoxin was investigated as a possible cause because it is used in GM crops to reduce lepidoptera feeding on the crop. The BT toxin works by killing a necessary bacteria native to the gut of lepidoptera. Because these bacteria are not native to bees, and because BCCD has been taking place in areas where crops with the BT endotoxin are not grown due to consumer fears, there was no good scientific reason to investigate the BT toxin in this case. Pressure from organizations like the sierra club, who have an ideological axe to grind against GM foods, have pressured scientists and political bodies.

Because much of the research up to this point has been, like with the case of GM crops driven more by politics than by good science, there is room for Monroe county to step in with valid science and participate in the wider effort to solve the problem. The county possesses an number of universities equipped with both the intellectual and physical resources necessary to make a significant contribution to solving the problem, or at least discovering its cause.

Monroe possesses a great deal of farmland, and outside of Rochester, farming is one of the county’s largest industries. The economic impact of BCCD to the county could be significant. The county has 15,000 acres of land growing corn, 5,500 growing soybeans, and 2,000 growing apples (city data). An “estimated $2.5 million loss in apples, pumpkins, strawberries and squash” could occur in Monroe county if the bee decline continues(Wellsville Times). The local company Dundee Beer (which uses honey) has made an example of itself by donating a portion of beer sales to the cause of BCCD research (ibid).

Canadian Honey Council - News. . Retrieved June 17, 2008, from http://honeycouncil.ca/users/news_view.asp?FolderID=3219&NewsID=1146.

Monroe County, New York detailed profile - houses, real estate, agriculture, wages, work, ancestries, and more. . Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://www.city-data.com/county/Monroe_County-NY.html.

Where are the honey bees? - Wellsville, NY - Wellsville Daily Reporter. . Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/state_news/x719313197/Where-are-the-honey....