Scientists have developed a breakthrough “superfood” for honeybees by engineering yeast to produce the essential nutrients normally found in pollen. In controlled trials, colonies fed this specially designed diet produced up to 15 times more young, showing a dramatic boost in reproduction and overall health. As climate change and modern agriculture reduce the availability of natural pollen, this innovation could offer a practical way to support struggling bee populations.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/61520306

Using CRISPR-Cas9, scientists engineered a yeast to produce the nutrient feed. Farmers could have it in two years.

  • massive_bereavement@fedia.io
    7·
    3 days ago

    I see this as less of a way to overload populations but rather another tool to help struggling colonies.

    That said, there’s nothing there not saying that this won’t be abused in some cases.

    • MolochHorridus@piefed.socialEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      There are other pollinators that might feel the pressure if human made colonies grow in numbers. Those pollinators will not get the booster nor it seems that humans are particularly interested in root causes of pollen not being nutritions enough any longer.