Biopolicy, Volume 1, Paper 2 (PY96002) August 5th 1996
Online Journal, URL - http://www.bdt.org/bioline/py
The Convention on Biological Diversity and Microbial
Diversity: Issues of Interest to the Microbial Scientist
and Microbial Culture Collections
Lyle Glowka
Received June 20th 1996
Accepted on August 5th 1996
Code Number: PY96002
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SUMMARY
The Convention on Biological Diversity is very relevant
to the work of microbial scientists and microbial culture
collections. It may provide them with undefined and unexplored
new opportunities to explore microbial diversity at the
genetic, taxonomic and ecosystem level.
This paper provides a brief overview of the Convention as
(1) a legal document and (2) an institution. In so doing,
it highlights some areas where the Convention may
intersect with the work of microbial scientists and
microbial culture collections. Suggestions on how
microbial scientists and culture collections may be able
to shape the Convention's effective implementation to
their benefit is also made. In the process, the paper
attempts to answer three questions:
a. How will the Convention on Biological Diversity affect
the work of microbial scientists and microbial culture
collections?
b. Will additional funding be available?
c. How effective is the Convention likely to be?
Because the Convention is new, it is not able to provide
hard and fast answers to these questions but, as might be
expected with such a new instrument, the situation is
rapidly evolving. Therefore, it is hoped that this paper
will promote greater appreciation of the Convention and
provoke microbial scientists and culture collections to
take part in the Convention's application to microbial
diversity.
Published by Bioline Publications
Copyright remains with the author