As noted previously, the ability to silence genes brings to the table huge possibilities in all realms of genetic investigation. RNA interference is a vital part of the immune response to viruses and other foreign genetic material, especially in plants. We can now look at the latter topic, what to do about viral infections after they are detected, with a fresh eye thanks to efforts of scientists looking at possibilities using RNAi. Viruses produce their own messenger RNA, which hijacks the host’s cell mechanics to replicate the virus instead of the original organism or host. If this can be interfered with via RNAi, the viral RNA no longer can do its job. Because the genome of viruses is shorter and less complicated than other organisms, it becomes relatively easier to get their DNA sequenced.
A Israeli pioneer firm in this area called Beeologics was formed. It had the motto, “Working together to address the bee crisis.”
While its primary focus remained on overcoming the CCD crisis, Beeologics’ mission was to become the guardian of bee health worldwide. Through innovation, continuous research, and focus on applicable solutions, the firm began developing a line of products specifically addressing the honey bee’s well being.
The first product Beeologics attempted to bring to market was Remebee®. The advantages of this included the following:
Potent protection from Israel Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV)
Potentially applicable to all bee viruses
Inherent robustness precludes possibility of virus breaking resistance
Extreme specificity and no toxicity
No residues in honey bees or honey
It would seem that the folks at Beeologics were hanging Remebee’s® hat on its protection from Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), which was given wide publicity at the World Apicultural Congress in Melbourne, Australia (Apimondia 2007) and was strongly correlated with CCD. This provoked controversy.
Beeologics originally began the regulatory approval process for Remebee® through the Federal IR4 agency to register it as a biopesticide, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), however, the technology needed to be registered as bee medicine with the Department of Veterinary Medicine in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the timeline for registering a new medicine for a minor species is generally considered shorter than major food animals or human therapeutic drugs, it still had to go through a rigorous process. Furthermore, the RNAi technology was so new that many questions remained about its registration. Given these challenges, it became obvious that Beeologics was not up to the task, and thus the technology was sold to Monsanto, ending the company’s involvement. Monsanto was then acquired by Bayer, but the RNAi technology has gone nowhere since, remaining a “crazy bet.”
