A strategy of the world genebanks interaction under globalization
2007
Aleksanyan, S.M., The N.I. Vavilov All-Russia Research and Development Inst. of Plant Growing, St.-Petersburg (Russian Federation)
Analysis is made on the problems of international and regional cooperation in the field of collecting, conservation, study and utilization of plant genetic resources (PGR) at the present stage of the worldwide community development. About 75% of the global crop diversity is lost, that is why it is crucially important to integrate genebanks in the world's PGR conservation system. International agreements set up legal responsibility of the states for genetic resources and provide them with a lawful platform for collaboration. Under globalization, these resources acquire dual significance: as a source of profit for the private sector and a key element in solving national socio-economic problems. In view of this, the Status of ex situ collections should be legislatively adopted by the state, and regulations of their activities needs to be clearly defined. In a globalized world, these conditions are of special importance. A genebanks strategy needs to envisage its new objectives and functions and determine its interrelations with various private and public users. The world community undertakes certain measures to facilitate international cooperation between genebanks, but these efforts face a number of serious obstacles. At the same time, mutually beneficial and close collaboration between national genebanks on the regional and international levels has undisputable advantages. It provides genebanks with an opportunity to distribute among themselves responsibilities for preserving the most important accessions, rationalize national collections by identifying duplicate materials, reduce considerably the frequency of germplasm regeneration, provide unhindered access to genetic resources, and secure equitable benefit-sharing from their utilization. Russia, with its tremendous experience in PGR activities and the most unique collection in the world, must occupy a fitting place within the integrated international genebank community.
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