What is a utility gene bank?
Applied gene banks are a relatively new phenomenon and cannot be defined clearly. However, some of them have a long history, before the term "applied gene bank" was introduced. In Europe, there are over 130 initiatives that can be categorized as applied gene banks.
Photo: Kore Foundation.
Common features of utility gene banks
- Applied gene banks are communities that store seeds and possibly vegetative propagation material.
- Plant material is shared/dispersed outside the official market
- Most are run on a non-profit basis
- Many also provide training and education.
- The plant material is kept alive/vital through use
- Users undertake to report on the use and share seeds or vegetative propagation material what?
- The cultural history behind the seeds is an important part of conservation
Read more at Agropub.no .