Typologie d'actualités: group neurotoxics and biodiversity

Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) are a growing scourge worldwide, particularly in less developed countries with intensive agriculture. Several risk factors have been identified, but an undetermined etiology (CKDu) remains which may be linked to pesticides (Floris et al., 2021).

J.-M. Bonmatin participated in a study in Sri Lanka published in Scientific Reports late 2021 (Taira et al., 2021). Although the size of the study remains statistically modest, the authors (members of the Task Force on Systemic Pesticide) showed that the concentrations of several neonicotinoids measured in urine were related to the biomarkers Cystatin-C and L-FABP as well as to the neurophysiological symptoms observed. The authors conclude that the urinary concentrations of these neonicotinoids are a risk factor for tubular disorders of the kidney. This is another element that adds to our previous publications (e.g., Ichikawa et al., 2019 and Bonmatin et al., 2021) on the human health effects of these insecticides.

Neonicotinoids, known as "bee killers" and which are the source of major impacts on biodiversity (invertebrates and vertebrates) are still widely used for rice cultivation in Asia (Prihandiani et al., 2021).  These insecticides have been banned in France since 2018 (except for sugar beet). They are in the process of being banned in Sri Lanka.

Référence :  Taira K, Kawakami T, Weragoda SK, Herath HMAS, Ikenaka Y, Fujioka K, Hemachandra M, Pallewatta N, Aoyama Y, Ishizuka M, Bonmatin JM & Komori M (2021) Scientific Reports, 11, 22484.

https://doi-org.inc.bib.cnrs.fr/10.1038/s41598-021-01732-2

A group of co-authors, specialists in pollinators, has just published a letter in Science (Simon-Delso at al. 2021). The letter is a call to European Ministers to act responsibly and reduce toxic risks to pollinators in pesticide assessments. For example, while the natural mortality of honeybees can reach up to 5%, the scientific community agrees on a maximum "acceptable" rate of 7% for a pesticide. To accept 10% is to take a risk that is far too high in view of the already catastrophic situation regarding the collapse of pollinators. Because of the crucial importance of such decisions for the planet and our future, the authors and publisher have chosen a more direct style than usual to get their message across.

Reference : Simon-Delso N, Aebi A, Arnold G, Bonmatin JM, Hatjina F, Medrzycki P & Sgolastra F (2021) Maximize EU pollinator protection: Minimize risk, Science, 373(5552), 290. DOI: 10.1126/science.abj8116

Based on analysis of time series of abundances of insect species in the United States, Crossley et al. reported in Nature Ecology & Evolution (August 2020) that there is no evidence of a global decline in insect abundance or diversity in the United States, this for both natural and anthropogenic sites. Their study described the apparent robustness of insect populations in the U.S. as reassuring, in contrast to recent studies reporting dramatic declines in their abundance around the world.

However, a multidisciplinary consortium including researchers from INRAE, the University of Rennes and CNRS identified major problems in the Crossley et al. paper concerning: 1) statistical analysis and 2) inconsistencies in data selection. The consortium demonstrates, in a commentary published in Nature Ecology & Evolution Desquilbet et al. , that these biases call into question the conclusions of Crossley et al.

This is the second time (see here) that a high-ranking publication downplaying insect declines has been subject to methodological criticisms. These studies raise the question of a "biodiversity-skepticism" within the scientific community. In order to implement an appropriate protection of biodiversity, public decision-makers need an informed diagnosis that is not clouded by biased studies which slow down decision-making.

Reference :
Desquilbet M, Cornillon PA, Gaume L & Bonmatin JM (2021)
Matters arising: Adequate statistical modelling and data selection are essential when analysing abundance and diversity trends
Nature Ecology & Evolution doi : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-021-01427-x

The “One Health” concept links environmental, animal (wild & livestock) and human health. It is increasingly being argued (e.g. Covid-19) and is now essential for the preservation of ecosystems and public health. Researchers from the universities of Leuven (BE), Sorbonne-CNRS-IRD-INRAE-UPEC (FR), CARI (BE), FNOSAD (FR) and the Centre for Molecular Biophysics (CNRS), have applied this concept to the case of biocides and veterinary products (including pesticides) that are used to treat livestock and that impact pollinators. These researchers have shown that these "multi-use substances" present (among other things) proven risks for bees and consequently need to be better assessed before being placed on the market. This work was initiated at the CBM in 2019: see here & here (Italian).

Reference :     Mahefarisoa KL, Simon Delso N, Zaninotto V, Colin ME & Bonmatin JM (2021) The Threat of Veterinary Medicinal Products and Biocides on Pollinators: A One Health Perspective, One Health, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100237