> > I'll start collecting those "neonics are ok" papers
This has been done. And it isn't done by making two piles and seeing which one is taller.
Evaluatory procedure
Normally, the results of manipulative experiments are the
hard currency of decisions about causality in natural science.
In situations involving public concern over environmental change,
however, decisions about causes sometimes must be made under
political pressure, in spite of scientific uncertainties, which may
include the lack of experimental evidence. In such circumstances,
a scientific evaluation is nevertheless possible, but it uses a
different process to manage uncertainty and to validate its
conclusions.
Specifically, Hill's causality criteria are used as a structured
process for making an expert scientific judgement that is open
to critical inspection and repeatable by others. Hill’s criteria are
particularly appropriate for evaluating the cause–consequence
relationship between certain pesticides and honey bee declines
because they were devised to address epidemiological questions,
such as whether there is sufficient evidence to support the
proposition that a particular detrimental agent causes a particular
disease.
Based on the present evaluation, it is concluded that trace
dietary neonicotinoids are not implicated in population declines
of honey bees. The evaluation is provisional, however,
because important gaps remain in current knowledge.
Cresswell, James E., Nicolas Desneux, and Dennis vanEngelsdorp.
"Dietary traces of neonicotinoid pesticides as a cause of population declines in honey bees: an evaluation by Hill's epidemiological criteria."
Pest management science 68, no. 6 (2012): 819-827.
***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html
|