Biodiversity, Biotechnology, and Institutions Among Crops:

Biodiversity, in all of its complexity, is threatened by a multitude of modern forces. In the first section of this article, some critical forces are described which lead to a reduction of biodiversity. The possible contribution of emerging agricultural biotechnologies to a reduction of biodiversity is investigated. Special emphasis is given to the future role of new biotechnologies and genetic engineering in plant production and their influence on the diversity of the overall genetic base of plant life--what we will refer to here as plant genetic resources. At the same time, much of what will be discussed applies equally to agricultural livestock and other forms of animal life. Emerging biotechnologies are influenced by technological, legal and social factors. Genetic resources, research structures, technological progress, seed markets and intellectual property rights interact strongly. These interactions shall be described in the second section of this article. A revision of international legal codes toward more exclusive property rights in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering may strengthen the market position of multinational companies--provided that such exclusivity could be, in the long term, guaranteed. Enforcement looms as a difficult issue. The international activities taken in order to preserve biodiversity, particularly biodiversity of widely cultivated plants, are discussed in the third section of this article. It is concluded that international efforts must be instituted to guarantee the preservation of species and genetic diversity of cultivated plants.