Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: opus on 23/07/2008 23:57:19

Title: bees
Post by: opus on 23/07/2008 23:57:19

is it true that if bees died out, everything else would follow within a few years?

Title: bees
Post by: LeeE on 24/07/2008 23:45:50

Bees play a very important role in plant pollination, including a lot of the plants that form part of our food-chain.  It's very worrying but at the same time it's extremely unlikely that all bees would die - random mutation and the resulting evolution would probably keep some alive.  As to whether it would keep enough alive to suit us is a different issue though.

Title: bees
Post by: lyner on 24/07/2008 23:52:22

Millions of species have become extinct since life first appeared. We're still here.
It would be a 'first' if, when some new factor destroyed all bees, it took us all with it - even including the dreaded asteroid scenario. But, if it does happen - so be it.
There are many other insects which could emerge to fulfill the bees' major function, after a suitable delay which could involve serious problems for many flowering plants.

Title: bees
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 25/07/2008 08:31:59

It wouldn't be a threat if everything was GM

Title: bees
Post by: lyner on 26/07/2008 00:04:44

Why would GM solve it all?

Title: bees
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 26/07/2008 14:06:08

We could GM the bees so they don't die out, of course!  [::)]

Title: bees
Post by: lyner on 27/07/2008 00:10:01

I don't think we could rely on GM to sort out the problem.
I get the feeling that the Varroa problem is not being solved by GM methods or any others.

Title: bees
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 27/07/2008 10:47:29

Varroa is indeed a problem, but I don't think it's unsolvable. GM the bees to produce Apistan!  [:D]

Title: bees
Post by: lyner on 27/07/2008 18:20:48

Yebbut, have 'they' done it yet?
Can 'they' do it in time to solve the problem?
The two letters G and M don't, per se, solve the problem, do they?

Title: bees
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 27/07/2008 18:37:31

Have faith, dear chap; have faith!  [:D]

Title: bees
Post by: einsteinium252 on 27/07/2008 20:41:14

Colony Collapse Disorder is causing a problem already and will probably get worse.  If global food supply weakens it could be disastrous.

Unless someone designs flower seeking robotic bees, with ultraviolet vision (the way bees can see flowers).  Considering how there is a trumpet playing robot and even a robot that can carry on a conversation, hopefully robotic bees might not be far off. [:-\]

Title: bees
Post by: Make it Lady on 27/07/2008 21:49:36

I think the British Bee keeping society have just produced a book on this topic and are presently fund raising in order to research the problem. I'll try and find out the name of the book and the author but if someone else knows of it feel free to post first.

Title: bees
Post by: Make it Lady on 27/07/2008 22:01:40

Can't find the book but the head of the campaign to save the British Bee is Tim Lovett. If any of you would like to join the campaign and raise funds you can contact him on tjl@dermapharm.co.uk

Title: bees
Post by: lyner on 28/07/2008 10:16:26

Quote from: DoctorBeaver on 27/07/2008 18:37:31

Have faith, dear chap; have faith!  [:D]

We had faith in antibiotics but, one by one, they are losing their effectiveness and producing unwanted effects.