Schriften zu Genetischen Ressourcen - Genres

J.G. HAWKES
placed by the new highly bred varieties then coming onto the market (see FRANKEL
and BENNETT 1970, Genetic Resources in Plants).
Out of these discussions, grew the whole concept of Conservation of Plant Genetic
Resources, initially for the diversity of ancient varieties of crop plants and their close
wild relatives. Subsequently this was extended to emphasise the need for the in situ
conservation of many more wild species and also the ecosystems incorporating
them, which complemented the parallel and contemporary developments in nature
conservation.
The concept of “Gene Banks” was developed for facilities to conserve, regenerate
and issue plant genetic resources, whether maintained as seeds or in other living
states.
Through our reports to FAO and member governments, the need grew up for the
establishment of an organisation to make sure that institutions to facilitate these requirements
were developed. Hence, the world organisation named “International
Board for Plant Genetic Resources” was established, which later became the “The
International Plant Genetic Resources Institute”, and I am very honoured to have
been involved in some way with its foundation.
It is now generally acknowledged that the conservation of genetic and specific diversity,
not only of plants, but also of animals, is a task that every government should
support. and indeed most governments are well aware of this.
However, had it not been for Vavilov, Frankel, Bennett and others, in supporting
these developments decades ago, in which I also was able to play a part, the world
would be a more barren place and our agricultural systems would not be as fertile
and high yielding as they now are (see also HAWKES 2001).
Selected References
BROWN, A.H.D., D.R. MARSHALL, O.H. FRANKEL and J.T. WILLIAMS (1989): The Use of
Plant Genetic Resources. - Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, U.K.
FRANKEL, O.H. and E. BENNETT (Eds.) (1970): Genetic Resources in Plants - Their
Exploration and Conservation. - Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, U.K.
LOSKUTOV, I.G. (1999): Vavilov and his institute. A history of the world collection of
plant genetic resources in Russia. - International Plant Genetic Resources Institute,
Rome, Italy.
HAWKES, J.G. (Ed.) (1978): Conservation and Agriculture. - Duckworth, London, U.K.
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