Bees in the Future
Honeybees are being experimented on by leading agricultural companies such as Monsanto, but with questionable motivation. Monsanto, the company that purchased the research project Beelogics, has made progress in genetically engineered bees, and disease prevention, but it is not certain whether or not the true incentive lies in saving the bees.
The genome of a bee, Apis mellifera, is now an experiment in genetic manipulation and testing. The agricultural company Monsanto has purchased Beelogics, a continuing study on the use of RNA manipulation on the common honeybee. Monsanto’s first exploration of pest control biotech is working at creating Remebee; an antiviral treatment for honeybees that will resist IAPV or, the Israeli …show more content…
Honeybees can bring harmful chemicals from pesticides back to the hive through nectar and pollen from treated plants. Then the next generations ingest those chemicals as they grow. These chemicals target the central nervous system, and cause memory impairment and navigational deficiencies. One of these resulting illnesses is IAPV. This leads back into the use of Remebee.
Unfortunately, Mr. Eyal Ben-Chanoch, the Co-Founder of Beelogics, says, “While I am also concerned with the world we are going to leave to our children, those who are using so-called facts that are based on pseudo- or incomplete scientific work are as dangerous as the chemical companies who don’t release the data they have.”
In short, he is saying that Monsanto’s experiments are just that...experiments. Their research is not complete, and while honey bees ingesting Remebee may prevent the development of IAPV, other unpredicted genetic disruptions may occur. Brian Dykstra, the administrator behind “Ethnobeeology”, agrees, saying, “Basically, if the bees eat Remebee, there are likely to be unknown effects in gene expression, antiviral abilities, their ability to evolve inherent defenses against viruses, and …show more content…
Many, not only those invested in Beelogics’ continued research, doubt that Monsanto’s intentions are truly in saving the disappearing bees. They have reason to believe that Monsanto simply wishes to make money off of their soon coming patented bees in the future. Their logic seems to be rooted in the idea that once all of the other bees have been decimated by various pesticides and diseases, the only bee left to be bought will be none other than Monsanto’s genetically engineered
Honeybees are being experimented on by leading agricultural companies such as Monsanto, but with questionable motivation. Monsanto, the company that purchased the research project Beelogics, has made progress in genetically engineered bees, and disease prevention, but it is not certain whether or not the true incentive lies in saving the bees.
The genome of a bee, Apis mellifera, is now an experiment in genetic manipulation and testing. The agricultural company Monsanto has purchased Beelogics, a continuing study on the use of RNA manipulation on the common honeybee. Monsanto’s first exploration of pest control biotech is working at creating Remebee; an antiviral treatment for honeybees that will resist IAPV or, the Israeli …show more content…
Honeybees can bring harmful chemicals from pesticides back to the hive through nectar and pollen from treated plants. Then the next generations ingest those chemicals as they grow. These chemicals target the central nervous system, and cause memory impairment and navigational deficiencies. One of these resulting illnesses is IAPV. This leads back into the use of Remebee.
Unfortunately, Mr. Eyal Ben-Chanoch, the Co-Founder of Beelogics, says, “While I am also concerned with the world we are going to leave to our children, those who are using so-called facts that are based on pseudo- or incomplete scientific work are as dangerous as the chemical companies who don’t release the data they have.”
In short, he is saying that Monsanto’s experiments are just that...experiments. Their research is not complete, and while honey bees ingesting Remebee may prevent the development of IAPV, other unpredicted genetic disruptions may occur. Brian Dykstra, the administrator behind “Ethnobeeology”, agrees, saying, “Basically, if the bees eat Remebee, there are likely to be unknown effects in gene expression, antiviral abilities, their ability to evolve inherent defenses against viruses, and …show more content…
Many, not only those invested in Beelogics’ continued research, doubt that Monsanto’s intentions are truly in saving the disappearing bees. They have reason to believe that Monsanto simply wishes to make money off of their soon coming patented bees in the future. Their logic seems to be rooted in the idea that once all of the other bees have been decimated by various pesticides and diseases, the only bee left to be bought will be none other than Monsanto’s genetically engineered