The current sharp decline in commercial honeybee populations has been attributed to the same viral and bacterial infections, pesticide poisonings, and mite infestations that devastated bees in the past  Whichever of these adverse conditions is the immediate cause, it is highly likely that there is also a long-ignored underlying condition, and that is inbreeding
Decades of breeding practices meant to maximize pollinating efficiency have limited honeybees' genetic diversity
The results of decades of breeding practices cannot be quickly undone.