Plant Genetics

In this third and final report of The Keystone International Dialogue Series on Plant Genetic Resources, the participants from the Olso Plenary session agreed on the need to alert the international community to the threat of genetic erosion. They outlined a recommended structure for the Global Initiative.

The participants urged action as plant genetic resources provide the basic raw materials to make crops adaptable to: expanding biotic and abiotic stresses, changing consumer preferences; and possible changes in the environment, as may occur through global warming, rising sea levels, depletion of the ozone layer, and a growing world human population. While basic institutional frameworks are in place at different governmental levels, the system remains inadequate and underfunded. Gaps to be addressed included:

• Ex situ conservation, including collecting, storage and regeneration, documentation and information systems, germplasm evaluation and enhancement, and exchange;
• On-farm community conservation and utilization;
• In situ conservation;
• Monitoring and early warning of genetic erosion in specific locations;
• Development of techniques for sustainable advances in agricultural productivity; and
• Research, training and public education.

The group reached consensus on the criteria for a global mechanism for addressing these task, as well as funding and legal issues:

• It should have the confidence of all countries that are important repositories of plant genetic resources;
• It should inspire support from contributors of germplasm, information, funds, technology, and system of innovation; and
• It should be capable of ensuring effective, economical, and timely implementation of approved programs.

A proposed and detailed institutional structure was outlined to meet those criteria. A call for immediate action was emphasized, with the group agreeing that every day’s delay in pursuing this program of action may result in a considerable loss of genetic variability in plant of current and potential use.

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Final Consensus Report of the Keystone International Dialogue Series on Plant Genetic Resources: Madras Plenary Session
February 1990 | Report # 27 | Call 970-513-5835 to order reports

This dialogue series brought together representatives of non-governmental organizations, national governmental organizations, corporations, research institutions and international and intergovernmental organization from developed and developing countries to promote an international commitment to conserving plant genetic resources. Building on the successes and questions generated by the First Plenary Session, this dialogue faced a new set of issues in biotechnology and intellectual property rights. 

Questions of patenting, genetic preservation, informal innovators in developing countries, in-situ conservation of of wild plants, and farmers’ rights were discussed at the the community, national, regional and global level of concern. Financial mechanisms for funding the conservation of plant genetic resources were addressed. The linkage with concurrent efforts at conserving biodiversity was emphasized. Participants drafted several recommendations useful to the then pending GATT negotiations and outlined areas that needed to be addressed in the near future at all levels of government.

This report presents the proceedings from the Conference on the Scientific Issues Associated with Transgenic Plants which was held in Annapolis, Maryland, September 7-9, 1988. The Conference was jointly planned and sponsored by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The purpose of the Conference was to discuss the scientific issues concerning the development and commercialization of transgenic plants. The goal of the Conference was not to reach consensus, but rather to provide an opportunity for a thorough, interactive examination of the scientific issues.

The Conference participants included representatives from all of the sectors involved and concerned with the development of transgenic plants: federal and state agencies, industry, environmental and consumer groups, and academia. The Conference was designed to provide opportunities for both formal panel presentations and small facilitated discussion groups so that the participants could both hear from those actively involved in the scientific issues and have an opportunity to discuss the issues in-depth with people from similar perspectives and those from diverse interests.

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There are significant and growing challenges to the preservation, use and exchange of plant genetic resources. In spite of much increased awareness and concern, it is becoming clear that significant plant genetic resources are still being lost to humankind. Scientific questions of what and how to collect, conserve, and utilize these resources continue to emerge. Social, political and legal questions persist regarding the ownership, exchange and availability of plant germplasm.

In the winter of 1987, The Keystone Center formed an International Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, comprising scientists and policymakers from developed and developing countries to initiate and guide an International Dialogue Series on Plant Genetic Resources.

The purpose of the Dialogue Series is to bring together the significant constituencies in a structured, off-the-record process to develop consensus recommendations on the conservation and utilization of global plant genetic resources. The overall goal of the Dialogue Series is to examine and develop strategies for strengthening an international commitment to plant genetic resources. Specifically, the Series focuses on developing consensus recommendations and strategies regarding the availability, use, exchange and protection of plant germplasm. The Series focuses on both in situ and ex situ aspects of plant genetic resources.

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