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Bees, Allergies and Genetically Modified Food-

Over the last few years, scientists have begun noticing that the bee population has been dwindling. The term used to describe this is CCD, or Colony Collaps Disorder. The reason for CCD is not known for certain, but many theories are being put forth. From parasites, cell phones to cyclical variations, the only thing that is certain is that 60-70% of the usual bee population has disappeared. This reduction is being noticed on a worldwide scale, from the United States, to Spain and England. The implications of this may proove to be disastrous! Bees are responsible for pollination of nearly all the worlds crops.

Bees simply transfer pollen from one plant to another as they fly around sucking up the nectar from flowers. The pollen from one plant sticks to the small hairlike structures on the bees feet and is transferred meticulously from plant to plant, ensuring the plants success. Furthmore, bees will take this pollen back, along with the nectar, and feed their baby bees with it.

The implications from this bee population reduction are yet to be seen, however with less pollen on the bees feet more will be in the air for us to breathe. To what degree this will cause an increase in allergies is uncertain. However, the effect on worldwide food production may proove to be the biggest problem of all. It can be easily assumed that crop prices will rise to higher than normal prices. Perhaps this will pave the way for genetically modified crops? Time will tell.

References:

http://news.in dependent.co.uk/environment/wi ldlife/article2449968.ece
http: //www.swissinfo.org/eng/social _affairs/detail/Concern_mounts _over_falling_bee_population.h tml?siteSect=201&sid=7706217
ht tp://maarec.cas.psu.edu/bkCD/H BBiology/bee_behavior.htm
http: //gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/beep op/life.html

Learn more about this author, Eric Madrid.
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