BeeOLogics is close to developing a genetic spray that will
wipe out verroa mites, one of the most significant factors in reducing honey
bee populations around the world.
The genetics involves messenger DNA that can kill the mites.
It is designed as a crop spray that the mites pick up in the food they eat.
Ironically, Monsanto owns BeeOLogics and is likely to play a
key role in helping bee populations survive.
Another branch of Monsanto is being blamed for killing honey
bees that are poisoned by its seed-treatment neonicinitoid products.
The Motley Fool publication says some thought when Monsanto
bought BeeOLogics that it was trying to silence critics of its pesticides.
However, others say the biotechnology company is an
excellent fit with Monsanto’s biotechnology researchers who have developed
genetically-engineered crops that can survive weed sprays and can kill
crop-munching insects.