> 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 

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