Why GMOs Are Bad For The Planet And Bees

Nature is designed in a way the every organism has a part to play in the existence and development of the earth.

Our actions in the recent years have however affected negatively the natural processes leading to destruction of some species.

Such activities involve the use of insecticides that are harmful to the environment as well as adoption of genetically modified organisms.

The GMO debate has over the year’s shifted into a political one where no one seems to care about the overall impact of the technology on the planet.

Before you get into the effects of having GMO plants in your garden or growing area, you need first to understand what they actually are.

GMO Genetically modified organism in simple terms means any organism whose DNA has been altered in a non natural way.

They are designed to create a new breed of plants that can resist viruses, pests, drought and other factors that may affect the plants life.

Though the above process appears to be well founded, without comprehensive long term studies its downside is apparent, especially in the longer term as there have been mentioned, effects on animals such as bees that rely on nectar for survival.

The last half decade or so has seen a sharp decline in number of honeybees. This condition is often described as colony collapse disorder. Whether correct or not, it has been attributed to GMO food crops that are said by some to have the following effects on bees;

Poor nutrition for bees

Although the GMOs are not meant to keep away harmless creatures such as butterflies and bees, this is not the case on the ground.
Bees are considered the largest species group that pollinates plants.

A natural garden normally has a biodiversity of plant species that include weeds. The process of pollination is a rather simple since the bees are attracted in large numbers by nectar thus resulting in pollination of flowers. The lack of biodiversity in the garden makes the bees survival threatened.

Toxins in the GMOs

These toxins can either be from the plant itself or the pesticides used for the plants. The resistance that the GMO plant possesses enables it to resist powerful chemical pesticides commonly used on them but when the bee feeds on the nectar the story is different. These toxins affect mainly the honeybees bees and are attributed to decline of number of bees. The bee might also carry with it the toxins and distribute to other organic plants in the garden.

Poor nutrition

Genetically modified plants might be a lot more resistant to external factors but can not match the natural nutritional value that is contained in other organic plants. Bees are very sensitive and choosy when it come to there eating habits and may tend to shy away from plants that they feel may not have the right nutrients for them. Although there are other factors linked with colony collapse disorder such as cell phone towers, it is important that we do not adopt measures aimed at doing a little good but great evil in the long run. Bees being popular agents of pollination should not feel threatened in any way since it may lead to a crisis in food production. It is our responsibility to protect the planet thus its future depends on our actions.

Photo Credit:  Andreas