304 • Technologies To Maintain Biological Diversity 



perennial corn and rosy periwinkle (an anti- 

 leukemia drug) are commonly cited in the liter- 

 ature on this subject. For the most part, how- 

 ever, this rationale has been expounded by sci- 

 entific, conservation, and political groups in 

 industrial countries, where motivations as well 

 as technologies to exploit genetic resources are 

 comparatively well-developed. 



The point has been less forcefully argued or 

 acted on in developing countries. The reason 

 may be because these countries have been un- 

 able to capitalize on their biological resources; 

 the products and profits from them— for many 

 reasons, including differences in levels of tech- 

 nology, research facilities, and interest— accrue 



elsewhere. Given that the greatest diversity of 

 potentially important organisms is located in 

 developing countries (e.g., centers of diversity 

 of crop species and moist tropical forests as 

 sources of medicinal products), enhancing the 

 incentives for developing countries is critically 

 important. 



Various mechanisms exist to promote iden- 

 tification and development of biological re- 

 sources in developing countries. Supporting re- 

 search by developing-country scientists, such 

 as through the AID Program in Science and 

 Technology Cooperation (49), offers opportu- 

 nities not only to promote development of in- 

 digenous biological resources but also to culti- 

 vate scientific expertise and supporting 



Photo credit: United Nations/photo by S. Stokes 



Crocodile farm in Papua New Guinea has potential to provide 



direct economic benefits and encourages protection 



of biological resources. 



Photo credit: UN/UNDP photo 154002, S. Maines 



To reduce dependence on tea, rubber, and coconut exports, 



Sri Lanka is promoting ttie cultivation of 



minor export crops such as citronella. 



