Guardian article

[keithgrimes]

this may be of interest
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/22/chemicals-bees-decline-major-study

 

[pstafford]

I saw it on the BBC news webpage this morning too:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/10362883.stm

 

[margob99]

I saw it as well (and noticed also that Brosville (presumably the same who posts in this forum) had commented below).

While it all looks positive, you do have to ask yourself who funds the research.

When you explore all the bodies and organisations involved; eg the Insect Pollinator's Initiative (IPI), which is collectively sponsored by the BBSRC, DEFRA, NERC, the Scottish Government and the Wellcome Trust, nowhere does it track back to the entity or organisation that actually - bottom line - delivers the money.

A multitude of acronyms always raises my hackles.

 

[Finman]

"A cocktail of chemicals from pesticides could be damaging the brains of British bees, according to scientists about to embark on a study into why the populations of the insects have dropped so rapidly in recent decades. By affecting the way bees' brains work, the pesticides might be affecting the ability of bees to find food or communicate with others in their colonies

but but

In Britain in 2 years 40% beekeepers more and 78% hives more. It is a huge jump!

Who tells the truth?

 

[pstafford]

BBSRC, DEFRA, NERC, the Scottish Government and the Wellcome Trust, nowhere does it track back to the entity or organisation that actually - bottom line - delivers the money.

BBSRC
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/

DEFRA
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/

NERC
Natural Environment Research Council
http://www.nerc.ac.uk/

Scottish Government
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Home

Wellcome Trust
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/

Seems a good bunch to fund this research to me !

P

 

[pstafford]

This may also be a good article:

http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2009/WTX054476.htm

 

[Brosville]

Look for the Big Ag/GM Frankencorp.Inc connection/money and then appraise it's fairness and impartiality!
(There's at least 3 of those that are to my mind at the least "tainted" by such undue influence........) - all research should be totally impartial, especially if it's government funded!

 

[BKF Admin]

Brosville,even if the research is independent then the ph.D/m.phil students that will do the donkey work will have their courses funded by the chem companies,so the results could still be skewed(in my opinion).

 

[OXFORDBEE]

Is "Peer Review" not supposed to help get round this problem...?!?

 

[jimbeekeeper]

Brosville,even if the research is independent then the ph.D/m.phil students that will do the donkey work will have their courses funded by the chem companies,so the results could still be skewed(in my opinion).

And a few beer nights out and buffets!!! Easly pleased students

And then mention possibly of a job and they are anyones!

 

[Rosti]

And a few beer nights out and buffets!!! Easly pleased students

And then mention possibly of a job and they are anyones!

may be anyones before the job offer depending on the amount of booze at the buffet! ahh student days!

 

[johna]

Oh what SKEPtics we all are (pun intended) lets at least give the research a chance before we knock it and brand it skewed by big industry self interest.

 

[Rosti]

Sorry, you are correct, this thread had moved toward the consideration of big business ethics and research integrity .... I was still reminiscing about student parties!

 

[m100]

Is "Peer Review" not supposed to help get round this problem...?!?

No doubt the response will be that they are all in the pay of the establishment.

 

[BKF Admin]

No doubt the response will be that they are all in the pay of the establishment.

I would not go that far,yet many peers research is only part funded by the goverment with the rest of the money coming from companies in partnership.
I think the BBKA exec would be a good example,non work for agro-chem companies but,and its a big but..