278 • Technologies To Maintain Biological Diversity 



minor crops. IBPGR has already expressed 

 reluctance to assume principal responsibility 

 for these areas, noting that in many cases, such 

 efforts should be relegated to national programs 

 (79). Another option, however, is creation of 

 a new group to cover these particular interests. 

 Such an effort should try to establish some or- 

 ganizational affiliation capitalizing on the ex- 

 pertise already acquired by IBPGR. 



Perhaps the most blatant gap, however, is in 

 the area of animal genetic resources. Although 

 FAO and UNEP have initiated investigations 

 in this area, no national, regional, or interna- 

 tional programs have yet emerged. An inter- 

 national board on animal resources could be 

 established, with a mandate and approach sim- 

 ilar to IBPGR's. But instead of establishing a 

 network of national programs, a more reason- 

 able approach might include creating a network 

 of regional programs, promoting conservation 

 of animal germplasm and monitoring endan- 

 gered livestock breeds. 



Additional international exchange of infor- 

 mation is also needed, particularly with respect 



to what is conserved in smaller collections, such 

 as those maintained by university faculty or pri- 

 vate breeders. This exchange often occurs in- 

 formally through working networks of research- 

 ers. In some cases, however, improved data 

 management systems may be appropriate. 



Integration 



Diversity maintenance programs require com- 

 plementary efforts between onsite and offsite 

 conservation, and finding the balance of em- 

 phasis is key. The first session of the FAO Com- 

 mission on Plant Genetic Resources discussed 

 building this integration by establishing na- 

 tional plant genetic resource centers that would 

 be closely linked to offsite genebanks and pro- 

 tected area management (41). Such efforts will 

 require improved cooperation at international 

 and national levels, along with creative use of 

 existing laws and programs to meet emerging 

 management and scientific needs. 



CHAPTER 10 REFERENCES 



1. American Phytopathological Society, National 

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2. American Seed Trade Association, "Position Pa- 

 per of the American Seed Trade Association on 

 FAO International Undertaking on Plant Ge- 

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3. Anonymous, "European Parliament Votes To 

 Adopt FAO Undertaking," Diversity (9):24-25, 

 1986a. 



4. Anonymous, "New Patent Policy Stirs Seed In- 

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5. Barton, J.H., "The International Breeder's Rights 

 System and Crop Plant Innovation," Science 

 216:1070-1075, June 4, 1982. 



6. Barton, J.H., "International/Legal Framework 

 for Ex-Situ Conservation of Biological Diver- 

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7. Batisse, M., "Developing and Focusing the Bio- 

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8. Berlan, J.P., and Lewontin, R., "Breeders' Rights 

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9. BHss, F.A., "Market and Institutional Factors 

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10. Boardman, R., International Organization and 

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11. Burhenne, W.E., International Environmental 

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12. Butler, L.J., and Marion, B.W., "The Plant Vari- 

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 Industry," Journal of Agronomic Education 

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13. Chiarappa, L., and Karpati, J.F., "Plant Quaran- 

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14. Cleary, S., Bureau of Oceans and International 



