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Rania Ahmad

Mrs. Palcko

English 112

24 May 2017

Anchor Piece

Have you ever looked at a Honey Bee and thought to yourself that they might be harmful

to you? Studies show that bees will be placed under the endangered species list for the first time.

75% of our worlds food comes from these friendly pollinators, so we must do whats necessary

to protect them. Certain bee farms take precautions on the hives to make sure disease doesnt

spread because there are so many bees. Others feel the need to exterminate them because most

carry diseases but this issue can be resolved if everyone works together with different

organizations. Despite that, bees are beneficial to our daily lives, throughout the years they have

slowly become endangered by natural and human causes.

The nectar that bees extract from flowers is very beneficial to humans. Honey has been

used for centuries as a medical remedy (Smithsonian). Which means it can cure infections,

illnesses, and stop bacteria from entering the human body. Also, honey can be used as a drug

and an ointment (PMC). If studies show that honey has multiple benefits, why arent we doing

our job to protect these insects?

Over the years, there have been many controversial occurrences with the endangerment

of bees. They help farmers in the agricultural department of growing our food. Studies show that

20,000 or so species of pollinators are key to hundreds of billions of dollars worth of crops each

year (Associated Press). If bees didnt do their jobs, then we wouldnt be able to get our fresh
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produce. Therefore, humans have also been somewhat inconsiderate about pesticides and

different forms of fertilization that floats through the air and on plants. "Pesticides, particularly

insecticides, have been demonstrated to have a broad range of lethal and sublethal effects on

pollinators in controlled experimental conditions" (Associated Press). If we continue to be

carefree about this topic, then the bees will be extinct. Bees are under threat from hive

collapse, a disorder that some have linked to pesticides and pollution (Philippines Daily

Inquirer). Many are working to make sure that these pesticides are not to be near or used on bee

farms.

In addition, there are many organizations and ways that humans are putting effort to save

the bees. According to nonprofit wildlife conservation organization Xerces Society, this is the

first time that bees will be placed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act

(Philippines Daily Inquirer). The Xerces Society is contributing to stop the decline of the

Bumble Bee by making sure certain pesticides are to be exempted. Also they have produced

The Bumble Bee Watch project. It is a citizen science project designed to collect data on

bumblebee abundance and distribution -(Xerces Society). This makes sure that people in the

United States are aware of the decline in the bee population, and can get involved as well like

collecting data and submitting it.

In conclusion, even though bees are placed under the Endangered Species Act, they are

still in danger of going extinct. Their benefits are keeping us alive and healthy so we must do

what is necessary to save them. Human manufacturing and pesticides need to be taken away

from the bees. Certain farms are taking precautions as well as the Xerces Society. Many are

contributing to help save the bees so they can be taken off the endangered species list for good.
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Works Cited

The science behind honey's eternal shelf life. Newsela | The science behind honey's

eternal shelf life, Smithsonian, newsela.com/articles/smi-honey-eternal-shelf-life/id/20417/.

Accessed 12 May 2017.

Mandal, Manisha Deb, and Shyamapada Mandal. Honey: its medicinal property and

antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, Asian Pacific Tropical

Medicine Press, Apr. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/. Accessed 14

May 2017.

"Bees placed on endangered species list for first time." Philippines Daily Inquirer

[Makati City, Philippines], 6 Oct. 2016. Global Issues in Context.

The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee. Xerces.maps.arcgis.com, Xerces Society ,

xerces.maps.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=3545656993df4d19a83ffc7987c37c88.

Accessed 14 May 2017.

France-Presse, Agence. Benefit of bees even bigger than thought-Food study. Inquirer

News Benefit of bees even bigger than thoughtfood study Comments, Philippines Daily Inquirer,

newsinfo.inquirer.net/539983/benefit-of-bees-even-bigger-than-thought-food-study. Accessed 14

May 2017.
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