Sick Honeybees Find Lifeline in Covid Vaccine Technology
GreenLight Biosciences uses RNA technology to target parasites partly blamed for bee crisis
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Technology used to develop Covid-19 vaccines may also help combat a honeybee-killing pest.
GreenLight Biosciences is developing an RNA-based syrup to attack varroa mites, a parasite that attaches itself to honeybees and feeds off them while spreading diseases. The RNA acts as an “off switch” that interferes with the mites, disrupting their ability to lay offspring that attach to bees, said Mark Singleton, chief commercial officer and general manager of plant health at the Boston-based firm.