Using genebanks

Providing gene banks

Description

Using genebanks involves the systematic collection, preservation, and distribution of genetic material from plants, animals, and microorganisms to safeguard biodiversity and ensure future food security. This strategy enables the restoration of threatened species, supports crop and livestock improvement, and mitigates genetic erosion caused by habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation. By providing access to diverse genetic resources, genebanks facilitate research, breeding, and conservation efforts, directly addressing the risks of genetic depletion and species extinction.

Implementation

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) supports the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR), which has established a network of genebanks in 30 countries to house the world's 40 base collections. More than 100 countries collaborate and over 500,000 plant species have been collected, evaluated and deposited.

In collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere programme, a network of six regional microbial genebanks and training centres (MIRGENS) has been set up.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)- supported centres, including the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), have between them created the largest collection of plant genetic resources, over one third of the entire stock of unduplicated germplasm stored in genebanks worldwide. IPGRI has established a network of genebanks in 30 countries to house the world's 40 base collections. More than 100 countries collaborate and over 500,000 plant species have been collected, evaluated and deposited.

China has established the world's largest resource bank of different varieties of crops, a number of gene and cell banks and 25 germ-plasm nurseries, which hold a total of 350 thousand specimens of germ-plasm for various species of trees and crops.