Study Connects High Fructose Corn Syrup to Bee Colony Collapse Disorder

IntelliHub – by Derrick Broze

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found a possible link between the practice of feeding commercial honeybees high-fructose corn syrup and the collapse of honeybee colonies around the world. The study was published by a team of entomologists at the University of Illinois.  

Phys.org reports:

“Since approximately 2006, groups that manage commercial honeybee colonies have been reporting what has become known as colony collapse disorder—whole colonies of bees simply died, of no apparent cause. As time has passed, the disorder has been reported at sites all across the world, even as scientists have been racing to find the cause, and a possible cure. To date, most evidence has implicated pesticides used to kill other insects such as mites. In this new effort, the researchers have found evidence to suggest the real culprit might be high-fructose corn syrup, which beekeepers have been feeding bees as their natural staple, honey, has been taken away from them.

Commercial honeybee enterprises began feeding bees high-fructose corn syrup back in the 70′s after research was conducted that indicated that doing so was safe. Since that time, new pesticides have been developed and put into use and over time it appears the bees’ immunity response to such compounds may have become compromised.”

The researchers findings indicate that by the bees eating high fructose corn syrup instead of honey they are not being exposed to certain chemicals that help boost their immune system and allow them to fight off toxins, specifically those found in pesticides.

The enzyme P-coumaric is found in pollen walls and makes its way in the honey by sticking to the bees legs. P-coumaric naturally detoxifies the honey bees and allows them to fight off pesticides meant for other insects.

This news comes days after the European Union announced that they would be initiating a ban on the pesticide group, Neonicotinoids. The EU commission may now put into effect a 2 year restriction on neonicotinoids found in pesticides. A number of studies have linked this group of pesticides to bee colony collapse disorder.

With this new information, a clearer picture begins to emerge.

Giant Chemical companies such as DOW and Monsanto are vested heavily in pesticides and promote the use of harmful chemicals. This, of course, causes a reaction in the environment and the animals the rely on it. The abundant use of chemicals has also parallelled­ the rise of corn as a subsidized crop. These subsidies have led to the abundant use of products such as high fructose corn syrup. Together these products are now sending a shock-wave through the planet, and the consequences are now becoming evident.

Fast forward to today and our highly Genetically Modified World. Today close to 90% of corn in the United States is Genetically Engineered. This corn is then turned into a variety of products, including GMO high fructose corn syrup. This corn syrup is then fed to commercial honeybees. A recent study found thatGMO corn has almost no nutritional value compared to organic.

Is it possible that the use of pesticides, high fructose corn syrup, AND GMO’s are killing the bees?

Please Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

*****

Derrick Broze is a founding member of The Houston Free Thinkers.

He writes for IntelliHub.com a popular independent news website.

He can be heard on Orion Talk Radio, Local Live Houston and the upcoming Unbound Radio.

Find his workatwww.theconsciousresistance.com and www.thehoustonfreethinkers.com

http://intellihub.com/2013/05/01/is-there-a-possible-gmo-connection/