Genetic resources means

genetic material Nucleic acids are large biomolecules that are crucial in all cells and viruses. They are composed of nucleotides, which are the monomer components: a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a nitrogenous base. The two main classes of nucleic aci ...

of actual or potential value where genetic material means any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity... Genetic resources thus refer to the part of

genetic diversity Genetic diversity is the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic makeup of a species. It ranges widely, from the number of species to differences within species, and can be correlated to the span of survival for a species. It is d ...

that has or could have practical use, such as in plant breeding. The term was introduced by Otto Frankel and Erna Bennett for a technical conference on the exploration, utilization and conservation of plant genetic resources, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the

International Biological Program The International Biological Program (IBP) was an effort between 1964 and 1974 to coordinate large-scale ecological and environmental studies. Organized in the wake of the successful International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–1958, the Interna ...

(IBP), held in Rome, Italy, 18–26 September 1967. Genetic resources is one of the three levels of

biodiversity Biodiversity is the variability of life, life on Earth. It can be measured on various levels. There is for example genetic variability, species diversity, ecosystem diversity and Phylogenetics, phylogenetic diversity. Diversity is not distribut ...

defined by Article 2 of the

Convention on Biological Diversity The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is a multilateral treaty. The Convention has three main goals: the conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity); the sustainable use of its ...

(CBD) in Rio, 1992 Under the CBD, discussions and negotiations regarding genetic resources are organized by the FAO Commission of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. This commission distinguishes the following domains of genetic resources: * Animal genetic resources * Aquatic genetic resources *

Forest genetic resources Forest genetic resources or forest tree genetic resources are genetic resources (i.e., genetic material of actual or future value) of forest shrub and tree species. Forest genetic resources are essential for forest-depending communities who rely fo ...

* Micro-organisms and invertebrates * Plant genetic resources Genetic resources are threatened by

genetic erosion Genetic erosion (also known as genetic depletion or genomic erosion) is a process where the limited gene pool of an endangered species diminishes even more when reproductive individuals die off before reproducing with others in their endangered l ...

and conservation activities are undertaken to prevent loss of diversity.

History

Before the introduction of the term, the Russian scientist

Nikolai Vavilov Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov ( rus, Никола́й Ива́нович Вави́лов, p=nʲɪkɐˈlaj ɪˈvanəvʲɪtɕ vɐˈvʲiləf, a=Ru-Nikolay_Ivanovich_Vavilov.ogg; – 26 January 1943) was a Russian and Soviet Union, Soviet agronom ...

initiated comprehensive studies on plant genetic resources and conservation work in the 1920’s. The American botanist

Jack Harlan Jack Rodney Harlan (June 7, 1917 – August 26, 1998) was an American botanist, agronomist, plant collector, and campaigner for crop plant biodiversity conservation. Early life Born in Washington, DC, Jack Harlan was the son of Harry Harlan, a p ...

stressed the tight link between plant genetic resources and man in a seminal publication "Crops and Man".

Methodologies for conservation of genetic resources

There are two complementary ways to conserve genetics resources: *''in situ'', which consists in managing populations on-site, dynamically evolving in their natural environment. ''In situ'' methodologies include: ** conservation in natural populations (in nature) ** on farm conservation * ''

ex situ Svalbard Global Seed Bank, an ' conservation ''Ex situ'' conservation () is the process of protecting an endangered species, variety, or breed of plant or animal outside its natural habitat. For example, by removing part of the population from ...

'', which consists in conserving individuals or populations out of their natural environments. ''Ex situ''

gene bank A gene bank is a type of biorepository that is used across the world to store the genetic material of animals, plants, and other organisms. It preserves their genetic information in the form of reproductive material like seeds, sperm, eggs, emb ...

methodologies include: ** conservation in

seed bank A seed bank (also seed banks, seeds bank or seed vault) stores seeds to preserve genetic diversity; hence it is a type of gene bank. There are many reasons to store seeds. One is to preserve the genes that plant breeders need to increase yield, ...

s **

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning ''in glass'', or ''in the glass'') Research, studies are performed with Cell (biology), cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in ...

conservation **

cryopreservation Cryopreservation or cryoconservation is a process where biological material - cells, tissues, or organs - are frozen to preserve the material for an extended period of time. At low temperatures (typically or using liquid nitrogen) any cell ...

International policies

Policies are key to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use of genetic resources, for present and future generations. The main international policy framework that regulates genetic resources exchange and use is the

Nagoya Protocol The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), is ...

which entered into force in 2014. It defines and protects the owners of genetic resources and it sets the rules for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)

Peer-reviewed literature

The following scientific journals are dedicated to the topic of genetic resources conservation and sustainable use: * Conservation Genetics Resources
Conservation Genetics

Genetic resources
(open access)
Journal of Genetic Resources

Plant Genetic Resources

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution

References

{{reflist Conservation biology Genetics

History

Methodologies for conservation of genetic resources

International policies

Peer-reviewed literature

See also

References