A meta-analysis of effects of Bt crops on honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
BACKGROUND
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are the most important pollinators of many agricultural crops worldwide and are a key test species used in the tiered safety assessment of genetically engineered insect-resistant crops. There is concern that widespread planting of these transgenic crops could harm honey bee populations.


RESULTS
We conducted a meta-analysis of 25 studies that independently assessed potential effects of Bt Cry proteins on honey bee survival (or mortality). Our results show that Bt Cry proteins used in genetically modified crops commercialized for control of lepidopteran and coleopteran pests do not negatively affect the survival of either honey bee larvae or adults in laboratory settings.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the additional stresses that honey bees face in the field could, in principle, modify their susceptibility to Cry proteins or lead to indirect effects, our findings support safety assessments that have not detected any direct negative effects of Bt crops for this vital insect pollinator.
Duan
Jian J
JJ
Ecological Technology Center, Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Marvier
Michelle
M
Huesing
Joseph
J
Dively
Galen
G
Huang
Zachary Y
ZY
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001516:Bees; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D011498:Protein Precursors
C029103:Bacillus thuringiensis protoxin; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D011498:Protein Precursors