The only way to avoid "possible negative ramifications of
man's meddling with the natural order of things" would be for us to
revert to a hunter-gatherer social structure, and even that would
have its impacts! All of agriculture including organic agriculture
has negative impacts if one defines negative as being anything other
than an untouched ecosystem. And if that is not where the line
should be drawn, then who gets to decide where in fact the line does
get drawn?
Concerning bee activity, we have about 20 acres of research
orchards at the Hudson Valley Lab and we have never brought in bees
for pollination, nor am I aware of any neighbors within a quarter
mile who keep bees. We still seem to get plenty of wild bees and
other kinds of pollinators coming out of the woods that surround our
orchards, although the honeybee population dropped off dramatically
several years ago when the mite problems were killing both domestic
and wild bees. This year, we had more honeybee activity than I have
seen in many years.
My point is that domesticated honeybees tended by beekeepers
are not the only source of honeybee pollinators (or is it
pollenizers? I can never remember). Managed hives are undoubtedly
important on large farms, in areas where crops are grown in
artificial climates (i.e., irrigated deserts), or in regions where
agriculture has removed all of the natural habitat for wild bees.
Nevertheless, my experience in watching bees suggests that wild bees
would be around for many years even if all of the beekeepers suddenly
collapsed over night.
I suppose the possibility of Frankenbees exists and I would to hear
from an expert about all the possible negative ramifications of
mans medalling with the natural order of things.
Jim Friedler
-----Original Message-----
From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Philip Smith
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 11:13 AM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Re: BEES & COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER
Are you suggesting the possibility of Frankenbees? I can see an
issue with bees spreading pollen from GM crops to non-GM crops, but
I don't see what effect it would have on the bees, themselves.
--
**************************************************************
Dave Rosenberger
Professor of Plant Pathology Office: 845-691-7231
Cornell University's Hudson Valley Lab Fax: 845-691-2719
P.O. Box 727, Highland, NY 12528 Cell: 845-594-3060
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/pp/faculty/rosenberger/