Re: IN VITRO stuff
Heiko Rischer (hrischer@rs1.rz.uni-hohenheim.de)
Mon, 9 Jan 1995 14:59:39 +0100 (MEZ)
Dear Michael,
Nobody believes that "in vitro culture saves the rain forest".
It is true that TC is a new propagation technique but not "just" a
technique. It gives the chance to save endangered plants in culture
(you mentioned the high turn-over-rates). This takes the pressure
by collecting from areas in the wild where these species naturally
occur (not the pressure by logging, this is another problem).
You are right saying that there are even in these days new undiscoverd
species out there in the jungle (i.e. the small areas left), but I
disagree if you claim these will be discovered and named because
somebody wants to create a new market with tissue cultered plants.
There is a scientific interest in these with or without the
possibility of TC.
In my opinion it is better having these new species in vitro and
making them available to the public than never knowing that these
species exist at all or being already destroyed.
Regards
Heiko
PS:I think the idea opening up an archive dealing with TC is very good.
This would provide the public with informations , so everybody can make
his mind about the difficulties of TC and the Knowledge is not restricted
to a small "elite" (Monopolists), if somebody should be afraid of this.