I should like to point out that this is the latest incarnation of the technique devised almost twenty years ago by Beeologics. The problem then and now has been "non-target effects." By the way, I can't see where the current group has done any field trials. It appears they tested their formula on handfuls of bees in cages.


GreenLight Biosciences Inc. has recently added to its portfolio a patent for a dsRNA-based product to control V. destructor infestations (Inberg & Mahak, 2016)*. Their dsRNA is a 372 base pair homologous to a sequence region within the mite CaM gene that encodes calmodulin, an essential calcium-binding protein that regulates multiple protein products. The product is formulated as an 80% sucrose solution to be placed in the hive; mites could thus be exposed to dsRNA through contact with the solution and/or through ingestion of the haemolymph of larvae or adult bees. * Inberg, A. & Mahak, K., Inventors. (2016) Monsanto Technology LLC and Beeologics. Inc U.S. Patent 62156751

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Contrary to expectations, we registered that the control treatment dsRNA-GFP affects the honey bee survival. A previous study showed that in specific cases, the application of dsRNA in honey bees is capable of producing unexpected expression knockdowns in non-targeted genes. Although dsRNA-GFP is not expected to trigger an RNAi response in treated bees, undesirable effects on gene expression, pupal pigmentation or developmental timing have been observed (Nunes et al., 2013). The mechanisms whereby dsRNA-GFP can produce a down-regulation on non-target genes remains unclear. Therefore, alternative dsRNA controls should be used in honey bee gene silencing experiments in order to avoid incorrect conclusions on RNAi-derived studies

.—Muntaabski, I., Scannapieco, A. C., Liendo, M. C., Niz, J. M., Russo, R., & Salvador, R. (2022). Bacterially expressed dsRNA induces Varroa destructor gene knockdown by honey bee-mediated oral administration. Journal of Apicultural Research, 61(4), 511-518.

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Even though not all possible mechanisms have been elucidated, it is clear that sensitivity to RNAi is very variable among arthropod species and even within the same species. Consequently, predicting possible effects based on taxonomic similarity is not a guarantee of safety for non-target organisms.

—Bonina, V., & Arpaia, S. (2023). The use of RNA interference for the management of arthropod pests in livestock farms. Medical and Veterinary Entomology.

PLB

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