> ...we are getting hints of things beekeepers use that may 1) reduce viruses, and 2) other common treatments for bee health that seem to actually antagonize viruses.

Don't want to antagonize those viruses.  <grin>  Not sure what that term means.  Does it mean 'fight them', or just piss them off?  (Uh, Oh!)
 
> ...we can eventually tell you which supplements are useful, which are not, which might be harmful.

This has caught my interst, but I need a translator. By supplements, are you meaning commonly accepted commercial bee feeds, or all those little goodies beekeepers like to add to feed, like copper gluconate, cattle salts and minerals, canola oil, whole eggs, puppies tails, etc.?
 
> Last year, I tried to get NHB to fund a study of pollen supplements - thought it would be wise to do the Consumer's Reports thing, see which, if any actually improved bee health (as evidenced by reduced pathogen loads, viruses). Seemed to me that lots of beekeepers are spending lots of money using products on the say so of the manufacturers/distributors. 

Are you thinking that 'pathogen loads, viruses' would be the measure, or that the ability to thrive despite the loads would be the measure?

> But, the proposal was rejected. So, we'll continue to see product reviews by the producers or hired by the producers, not by any independent party.

We do see some independant work, but it is underfunded and quite limited.
 
> Looks like its going to be citizen science - those beekeepers who want to know will find a way to get the answer - if they're interested enough. However, to be of use, it has to be more than I used it, I liked it.

I agree.  Do you think it is possible that we could design and perform a test via a web page or list like this, where some one (like Jerry) designed a test and the others went out and did what they were told and reported back?
 
> Bit of a placebo effect seems to go along with these products.

The placebo effect is stronger than gravity or electromagnetic force, and does not vary over time or distance.

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