I agree GM foods are a HORRIBLE thing. Too much playing god. There was a farmer from one of our prairie provinces that was sued by monsanto for having GM crops on his farm. He was a advocate against them. The crops in particuar were less than ten percent. He argued to the supreme court and then the case was suddenly out of the media. Poor old guy lost the farm I believe. I wonder how many unknowns there are with these crops and with this corporate behaviour? GM are supposed to be sterile, but Monsanto charged this man with crossing GM with his heritage strains of wheat. So obviously not 100% sterile. Litigated him to death. Interesting that Europe is not using as much GM crops and there are not as many cases of what is considered CCD there...hadn't read that.
I have to agree with brian about the cyclical nature of die offs. Certain plants such as vetch have been attributed to die offs in the 50s here in the prairie provinces. I wonder about changing weather patterns making plants which have not traditionally had much luck in certain climates, suddenly flourishing? As well virus/bacteria/fungus strains which lie dormant for LONG periods suddenly flourishing when conditions are ripe. Would be really interesting to narrow CCD down to one of these factors. What Ive read so far makes me think its a virus/bacteria/fungus. I love bread, and wine, but virus/bacteria/fungus have killed more humans in pandemics historically than all wars combined. I think the more likely culprit. They say we are LONG overdue for a pandemic. Our earth is sick, we are part of a closed system. James lovelock the scientist who coined the term greenhouse effect, without placing blame or cause suggested when the earth is sick it gets a fever. His theory was that the earth was experiencing that fever (back in the seventies). When the plagues hit we called it curse the curse of god, some areas of europe lost 1/4 of their population. Personally I think humans are 90% like spoiled children who think they can get out of a spanking and avoid natural consequences. We, are the problem, not just carbon emmissions but the shear number of us. Low technology people have decimated natural environments just as well, through over population. It is typical human egoism that can't see the earth as a living organism, wise and benevolent. For a long time she has been benevolent, we just keep thinking that she won't take it back someday.
Ugh...yeah...so...my vote is on CCD being viral/bacterial in nature.... :-D
and uh this might be better in the rants and raves section....