First off, what you are referring to is varroa (and tracheal) mite infestation of european honeybees. There are numerous programs underway to breed a mite-resistant strain, here's one program:
http://griffes.tripod.com/HIP1.html
However, in the big picture, keep three things in mind:
1- European honeybees (the type we see in the Americas) used for commercial honey production are non-native to the Americas. Plant life floursihed here long before their introduction, and will continue without them. Why?
2- Native bees such as bumblebees, as well as some wasps, hornets, moths, butterflies, and flies, all pollinate as well.
3- Many crops are primarily polinated by wind, not insects (corn, wheat, rice, other grains and grasses).
So, again, much like Global Warming, hysteria sells, and that's what media outlets are all about.
BA- Amatuer horticulturist.