> And this greater harm might well be, the contamination of the breeding > pool with genetics not having earned representation, having been propped > up by these ‘less harmful natural pesticides‘. The beekeepers who manage most of the hives in North America--the commercials--don't have the time or resources to worry much about the gene pool, and they delegate the task to the scientists and the bee breeders. Beyond some simple selection and queen or cell rearing, most commercial beekeepers simply do what they can to keep their current stock alive and productive, and expect to be replacing it with appropriate selections from the above sources. The larger number of beekeepers, however--the hobbyists or amateur (in the best sense of the word)--have different objectives. Some are out to make honey, but many others don't care and others yet have undertaken to try to improve bees or maintain specific stocks. These are conflicting interests, and beekeeping being what it is, unfenced and portable, they often run into one another. Can they ever be reconciled? I guess that is a challenge for lists like this and bee forums. We seem to be making some headway. allen -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---