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To: Amark$p who wrote (121257)	7/1/2008 11:35:28 PM
From: splif	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 313046

With regards to bee disappearance. This is a post I made on another thread this time last yr. One of my patients is a third generation bee keeper (started out in Germany and somehow ended up in Winnipeg(where we both now reside)). Anyway, he has quite the reputation as a bee expert/scientist and is often on CBC radio as the local "bee guy". I asked him what he thought was behind this bee disappearance...this is my synopsis of what he said. "he has coined the disappearance of the bees as due to a "hard Chemical effect" My understanding is more than 15 yrs. ago local bees were bred with South American bees to produce a hardier hybrid. (one of the side effects being the "killer bees" that we hear about on the news) One of the side problems of importing bees from South America is we also imported a mite that has incorporated itself into and infected the hives of the majority of North American bee colonies. To combat this, a series of chemical agents utilizing a neuro toxin was used. By a series he stated that subsequent generations gradually became immune and new variations of chemical had to be used. These agents are meant to be introduced to a hive for only a 6 week period, but in many instances they remained within the hive for over 6 months at a time. As a result, they were incorporated into the hive, and became part of the food chain to subsequent generations. Over time these chemicals became increasingly concentrated until eventually it got to the point where we are today. (much the same as mercury contents found in fish and birds that inhabit the Great Lakes have concentrated with subsequent generations) He stated he is 99% positive this is the cause. He said approx 15 yrs ago the US began utilizing these neurotoxins en masse while Canada began at a later period. The problems we are seeing today are affecting the US globally and not in isolated pockets, which implies an overall general cause and effect and the lesser effect here in Canada can be explained by the more recent onset of chemical utilization and as such we are still earlier in the cycle. I asked about the genetically modified Monsanto corn which has been hypothesized as the causing factor, but he felt its effects would be minimal and isolated only within regions where the corn was present. He did say that very likely there are multiple causes here that combined have resulted in what we see today. I know I have missed big chunks of his theory, but it was absolutely fascinating to listen to and seems extremely plausible. I told him he should write a paper on it.... don't know if he will, but he definitely should. Note: his own honey bee colonies are fine and have not exhibited any of the symptoms or losses experienced elsewhere. " splif ps. one of the perks of getting to know him is each yr. he brings me an ice cream pail of the best tasting honey I have ever had.