The herbicide from this biotech corporation was found to damage beneficial bacteria in the guts of honey bees. A new study says that the herbicide glyphosate damages the microbiota that bees need to fight pathogens. Glyphosate, the world's most widely used agricultural chemical , may be contributing to the global decline of bees and their habitat.
The findings show that young bees infected with glyphosate died more frequently when later exposed to a common bacteria. Honey bee larvae also grow more slowly when exposed to glyphosate.
Monsanto has responded by denying that glyphosate has a negative impact on honey bees. "40 years of scientific evidence shows that it does not pose an irrational risk to humans, animals and the environment in general," a Monsanto spokesperson said in a statement.
