Brazil Starts DNA Bank for Endangered Plants

[hatrack]

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Brazil's government on Wednesday inaugurated its first DNA bank to preserve genetic codes of endangered plant life in a nation known as the most biodiverse on the planet.

The facility, a laboratory and greenhouse in Rio de Janeiro's lush Botanical Gardens, was inaugurated by Environment Minister Marina Silva.

Silva said the DNA bank will focus initially on preserving genetic codes of plant species threatened with extinction. "There are budget restrictions, but we will learn how to make one penny do the work of two," she said.

The greatest risk is to plant species in Brazil's Atlantic Forest region along the nation's southeast coast. Only 1 percent of the original forest remains standing after decades of mining, logging, and urban development."

EDIT

http://www.enn.com/news/2004-06-10/s_24739.asp

Yeah, super. With a full 1% of the original Atlantic forest remaining, what better time than now to ramp up a DNA vault?

[BayCityProgressive]

1. how sad....

:-(