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Animal genetic resources. A global programme for sustainable development
Livestock Production Science, 29 ( 1991 ) 255-262 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam
255
Book Reviews LIVESTOCK GENETIC RESOURCES
Recently three books have been published, all focusing om livestock genetic resources, a topic of broad international interest. The world-wide interest also finds expression in the extensive activities of FAO in the field. The first book reflects current FAO activities, the second is based on a conference of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, whereas the third is a major disciplinary approach to Cattle Genetic Resources in the Elsevier series "World Animal Science". The books complement each other rather than compete, the first focusing on global intergovernmental programmes of preservation of endangered breeds and species, the second on philosophies and (needed) coordination of non-governmental institutions, while the third represents a broad scientific review of causes of decreasing genetic variability and present and future means for adequate genetic resource management.
Animal Genetic Resources. A global programme for sustainable development. Gerald Wiener (Editor). Proceedings of an FAO Expert Consultation, Rome, Italy, September 1990. FAO, Rome, 1990, 300 pp., 24 papers, recommendations and 7 appendices, many tables, figures, ISBN 92-5-1029261.
In the expert consultation, participants from all regions of the world contributed to a broad update on aspects of preservation of animal genetic resources, viz." institutional and legal aspects; technical problems, including cryoconservation of genomes and ex situ preservation of genes; live animal preservation; and world watch on endangered species. Each of these fields is extensively reviewed. In particular, international legal aspects are dealt with in detail, which is unique in this way. It seems evident that the key role of FAO is rightly exposed, including the various aspects of its programme and the strategies involved. The E.A.A.P./FAO Global Animal Genetic Data Bank (Hannover, Germany) is becoming an important centre in the whole of the operations, and details are given on its development and prospects. In view of new possibilities offered by biotechnology in preserving animal germ plasma, some papers deal with aspects of cryoconservation of genomes and of possible future ex situ preservation of genes. As identification of endangered livestock breeds must go first and because
256 the principal work of preservation must be done at the national level, both aspects get ample attention in a good number of papers. Elaborate recommendations focus on how to organize preservation and sustainable use in a global context and on strategies to combine cryogenic storage and preservation of live populations, together with comprehensive documentation in a reference centre. The book documents actual developments and perspectives in an extensive and thorough way. It is a must for research workers and policy makers involved in preservation of animal genetic resources.
Genetic Conservation of Domestic Livestock. Lawrence Alderson (Editor) on behalf of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Published by C.A.B. International, Wallingford, Oxon OX 10 8DE, UK, 1990, xiii + 242 pp., 23 papers, many tables, figures and photographs, £25.00, ISBN 0-85198-669-2. This book is based on material presented at a conference organized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, held in September 1989. It has an international authorship and papers are grouped under three headings: regional programmes ( 10 papers); philosophy and methodology of conservation (7 papers); and research studies and biotechnology ( 6 papers ). Unlike the FAO international approach at the government level, this book reports primarily on regional activities by non-governmental organizations. Papers refer to European countries, North and South America, New Zealand/ Australia; in some cases they focus on specific breed types (e.g. the Criollo Cattle of South America). In part 2 papers deal with organizational structures for conservation programmes, both on a national and international (FAO) scale, or focus on specific case studies. In addition, summaries of specialist group discussion sessions are given. In the final part 3, studies on genetic variation in rare breeds are reported, and on methods to maintain this genetic diversity. The last paper is an informative review dealing in a concise way with the potential impact of advanced biotechnology. Even though the papers are of a variable nature and level, it is no doubt a useful book for those involved in rare breed conservation. In future, international co-ordination of the non-governmental efforts in this field may usefully supplement the FAO global structures.
Cattle Genetic Resources. C.G. Hickman (Editor). Vol. B7 in the World Animal Science Series. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1991,
255
Book Reviews LIVESTOCK GENETIC RESOURCES
Recently three books have been published, all focusing om livestock genetic resources, a topic of broad international interest. The world-wide interest also finds expression in the extensive activities of FAO in the field. The first book reflects current FAO activities, the second is based on a conference of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, whereas the third is a major disciplinary approach to Cattle Genetic Resources in the Elsevier series "World Animal Science". The books complement each other rather than compete, the first focusing on global intergovernmental programmes of preservation of endangered breeds and species, the second on philosophies and (needed) coordination of non-governmental institutions, while the third represents a broad scientific review of causes of decreasing genetic variability and present and future means for adequate genetic resource management.
Animal Genetic Resources. A global programme for sustainable development. Gerald Wiener (Editor). Proceedings of an FAO Expert Consultation, Rome, Italy, September 1990. FAO, Rome, 1990, 300 pp., 24 papers, recommendations and 7 appendices, many tables, figures, ISBN 92-5-1029261.
In the expert consultation, participants from all regions of the world contributed to a broad update on aspects of preservation of animal genetic resources, viz." institutional and legal aspects; technical problems, including cryoconservation of genomes and ex situ preservation of genes; live animal preservation; and world watch on endangered species. Each of these fields is extensively reviewed. In particular, international legal aspects are dealt with in detail, which is unique in this way. It seems evident that the key role of FAO is rightly exposed, including the various aspects of its programme and the strategies involved. The E.A.A.P./FAO Global Animal Genetic Data Bank (Hannover, Germany) is becoming an important centre in the whole of the operations, and details are given on its development and prospects. In view of new possibilities offered by biotechnology in preserving animal germ plasma, some papers deal with aspects of cryoconservation of genomes and of possible future ex situ preservation of genes. As identification of endangered livestock breeds must go first and because
256 the principal work of preservation must be done at the national level, both aspects get ample attention in a good number of papers. Elaborate recommendations focus on how to organize preservation and sustainable use in a global context and on strategies to combine cryogenic storage and preservation of live populations, together with comprehensive documentation in a reference centre. The book documents actual developments and perspectives in an extensive and thorough way. It is a must for research workers and policy makers involved in preservation of animal genetic resources.
Genetic Conservation of Domestic Livestock. Lawrence Alderson (Editor) on behalf of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Published by C.A.B. International, Wallingford, Oxon OX 10 8DE, UK, 1990, xiii + 242 pp., 23 papers, many tables, figures and photographs, £25.00, ISBN 0-85198-669-2. This book is based on material presented at a conference organized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, held in September 1989. It has an international authorship and papers are grouped under three headings: regional programmes ( 10 papers); philosophy and methodology of conservation (7 papers); and research studies and biotechnology ( 6 papers ). Unlike the FAO international approach at the government level, this book reports primarily on regional activities by non-governmental organizations. Papers refer to European countries, North and South America, New Zealand/ Australia; in some cases they focus on specific breed types (e.g. the Criollo Cattle of South America). In part 2 papers deal with organizational structures for conservation programmes, both on a national and international (FAO) scale, or focus on specific case studies. In addition, summaries of specialist group discussion sessions are given. In the final part 3, studies on genetic variation in rare breeds are reported, and on methods to maintain this genetic diversity. The last paper is an informative review dealing in a concise way with the potential impact of advanced biotechnology. Even though the papers are of a variable nature and level, it is no doubt a useful book for those involved in rare breed conservation. In future, international co-ordination of the non-governmental efforts in this field may usefully supplement the FAO global structures.
Cattle Genetic Resources. C.G. Hickman (Editor). Vol. B7 in the World Animal Science Series. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1991,