Some have asserted that the CGIAR germplasm banks have exploited developing country resources for the benefit of multinational corporations (Brockway, 1988; Fowler and Mooney, 1990; Mooney, 1979, 1983). However, this assertion has been contested by others (Brown, 1988; Plucknett et al., 1987; Witt, 1985).

An FAO resolution was passed in 1983 that established an inter-governmental forum, a financial mechanism, and a legal basis for the coordination of international germplasm responsibilities (Esquinas-Alcazar, 1989). The intent was to give developing countries more control over both the global germplasm bank network to be developed and the use of genetic resources from their countries (McMullen, 1987). Until recently, the United States and many other developed countries declined to participate, in part because of conflicts over plant breeders' rights. After protracted controversy, the various sides appear to be approaching a consensus. Elements of the FAO's proposed program include a global monitoring system, establishment of a network of in situ conservation sites, and periodic reports on the status of world plant genetic resources.

The establishment of IRRI, Centro International de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo (CIMMYT, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center), and other commodity-based IARCs since the late 1960s has greatly enhanced the use of plant germplasm to develop high yielding varieties (HYVs) of food crops. The IARCs have become the main sources of externally supplied germplasm used by national agricultural research programs. By 1983, the national programs had released over 1,000 new varieties of cereals, legumes, and root crops developed with IARC-provided germplasm (Anderson et al., 1988) (Table 2-1).

The adoption of the new HYVs has been widespread, and for rice and wheat has contributed to unprecedented yield increases of nearly 2 percent annually in developing countries (Anderson et al., 1988). By 1983, HYVs of wheat and rice had supplanted traditional varieties on approximately half of the lands used for these cereal crops in all developing countries, and in certain countries this occurred to an even greater extend (Dalrymple, 1986a,b). Yield increases attributable to the new cereal varieties alone (excluding increases attributable to fertilizers and other inputs) exceeded 36 million metric tons in 1983 over the yields in 1970, sufficient to meet the annual needs of 500 million people (Anderson et al., 1988). Thus, improved varieties have

Front Matter (R1-R24)

Executive Summary (1-28)

An Overview of Genetic Resources Management (29-44)

Part I: Basic Science Issues (45-46)

1. Genetic Vulnerability and Crop Diversity (47-84)

2. Crop Diversity: Institutional Responses (85-116)

3. In Situ Conservation of Genetic Resources (117-130)

4. The Science of Collecting Genetic Resources (131-152)

5. The Science of Managing Genetic Resources (153-172)

6. Using Genetic Resources (173-188)

7. Biotechnology and Germplasm Conservation (189-204)

8. Documentation of Genetic Resources (205-218)

9. The Conservation of Genetic Stock Collections (219-238)

10. The Genetic Resources of Microorganisms (239-256)

Part II: Policy Issues (257-258)

11. Exchange of Genetic Resources: Quarantine (259-278)

12. Exchange of Genetic Resources: Proprietary Rights (279-302)

13. Genetic Resources: Assessing Economic Value (303-320)

14. Conflicts Over Ownership, Management, and Use (321-346)

15. National and International Programs (347-380)

References (381-406)

Glossary (407-414)

Abbreviations (415-418)

Authors (419-422)

Index (423-452)