TheBiologySpace.BioBlog

more info on the experimentation behind the paper and IAPV: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20612274/

This proves that when we try to control nature, we are dealing with a very delicate balance. The effects of introducing species from other environments is unpredictable and can be costly. Every interference we make must be followed by another interference. Scientist will hopefully find a solution soon or the almonds will become extinct and the peaches and cherries will become endangered, which will further disrupt the balance by endangering the animals dependent on those plants.

“There is evidence that some bees carry genetic resistance to the disorder.” Could these bees be bred to pass on this resistance? Hopefully through natural selection these bees will just become more abundent as bees without the resistance die off.

To me this does not seem all that bad. Now that scientist have identified that there is a virus, it will probably be cured soon. The reason why this is a long process is because government is not putting aside much money for this particular research.

But even if the cure is not found soon. I think there is kind of a back up plan. We are going to have to bring in a bunch immune Australian bees and just let them multiply in US.

And if all fails, well then we are flat out screwed, and we better figure out how to get to mars.

After reading the log, I have come up with a suitable summary: If the scientists don’t figure something out, we are in deep…excrement.

The article said that Australian bees are resistant. Maybe the bees can be bred to overcome the virus? Perhaps the scientists can come up with a vaccine.

Well ahem ahem, I agree with David G. Right now the governments main focus is on the war on terrorism not honeybees. Weapons of mass destruction…pollination one obviously outweighs the other. I think this is a serious problem but since the obesity rate in America is so high Im not sure if anyone would really miss their apples, bananas, grapes,broccoli,corn , or potatoes . Furit is improtant to me however so I hoping that there is a vaccine found soon.

I think the idea of a vaccine is a great idea, however, how would that come about? How would they introduce the vaccine to the bees? I’m sure intravenously is not an option for our fast flying friends. Another question is how could scientists keep track of which bee populations have been introduced and which populations haven’t? Perhaps markers would be called into order… but that would be an enormous task to take and I can only hope that they find a solution to this issue before it’s too late.

i think this is a good thing like david said if they are identifing it they can then test and experiment with the virus to find a cure. ITS NOT A BAD THING. we are learning because science is always changing and we need to change our ways not the ways of nature because if we decide that we can change nature we have just recieved proof we can’t. interesting