Any of the new technologies applied against varroa mites (RNAi, CRISPR, 
natural enemies) will be faced with the same hurdle of the 19th century 
technology of introducing desirable genes into apiaries.  Right now 
there are genetically based varroa resistance levels that work well in 
research apiaries.  Their distribution and adoption has been slow.

New technologies face a further regulatory hurdle that may be extremely 
difficult to overcome in the honey bee setting.  Even if something 
emerges that is documented as safe and effective, we live in a world 
where perceptions and beliefs fuel public pressure.  A prominently 
placed article in the media could end a potentially useful effort in 
the blink of an eye.

 

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