Brian
On Mon, 9 Jan 1995 07:43:00 -0800,
Jan Schlauer <zxmsl01@student.uni-tuebingen.de> wrote:
>Michael,
>
>>(...) The names change (very fast).
>
>Some taxonomists do their best to slow down the speed a bit.
>
>>(...)In contrast to the past
>>people now run to the rain forrest collecting new species (naming them
>>thus creating a market and propagating them in their own monetary
>>interest believing in the need to environmentally -> tissue cultured
>>satisfy the demand).
>
>No. At least not the people I know.
>
>Of course, sometimes the interest in cps is not entirely scientific. But
>you must accept that at least some field exploration has helped to even
>*reduce* the number of names and taxonomic problems.
>
>>You know yourself that the genetic diversity is not preserved by tissue
>>culture.
>
>Genetic diversity is much less preserved by destruction of the natural
>habitats (which is in too many cases even sponsored by local governments!).
>Certainly, one clone is a poor representation of a species, but it is very
>much more than ZERO clones, isn't it?
>
>>So, tell me please, what do you do against the global warming, the war in
>>Chechnia, ...
>
>This is not really a satisfactory answer to the questions posed.
>
>>What does N.xxxx help us in the tube if the forrests are gone ? It is
>>hypocritical to say plant collectors do any good to the nature by ha-
>>ving the plants in their greenhouses. It is for their own fun.
>(...)
>>Sure, as more or less 'artificial' artifacts disembodied from their
>>environment with no realistic hope ever to be reestablished. So, what
>>is the value, anyway ? What is a species without its ecosystem.
>
>Again, one clone is much more than none! I do firmly believe in a high
>value of any living creature (especially if it is a cp ;-)), as it is a
>unique organism formed by millions of years of evolution.
>
>We probably won't be able to prevent destruction of the habitats (too many
>people *want* the destruction; v.s.), so let us at least try to prevent
>(admittedly, only a very tiny little bit of) extinction.
>
>Any extinct species (or other taxon) is a loss which cannot be compensated
>by any human effort (forget about "Jurassic Park", it doesn't work!). So
>every successful attempt at preserving even a limited set of individuals
>representing a taxon is an achievement. Nobody can solve all the problems
>globally, and at once, but I think ex situ conservation is a serious issue
>(irrespective of the technique used).
>
>(...)
>>For us hobbyists this is a great idea but please drop these exaggerated
>>claims that we would save the world if we had a stock of tissue cultured CPs.
>
>Maybe some future (wiser) race will rediscover the value of *biological*
>species living in the environment they were adapted to for millions of
>years (until _Homo "sapiens"_ - nomen illegitimum? - came to kill them
>within a few hundred years). These guys may prove grateful for some grains
>to sow...
>
>Kind regards
>Jan
>
>PS:>No, but it is welcomed opportunity to be able to sell them overpriced
>>in high numbers in a short time.
>
>Here is my tip of the day: If it's too much $$, you don't need to buy!
>
>I would *love* an ad like:
>
>"Liquidation sale because of space limitation.
>Buy 50 _Utricularia podadena_ and 50 _U.dimorphantha_ for five bucks,
>and get 50 _Pinguicula algida_ and 50 _Nepenthes rajah_ free!..."
>
>Where is your price limit (even if the stuff were from TC)?
>
>Sorry all you people who have read this stuff and not benefited from it. I
>really hate to waste bandwidth, but there are more than 2 recipients
>involved.
>
>
>
>