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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is in response to the description of current
work on threatened species in the Lamiaceae/Labiatae family, from JN Covanes
(Botreasearch).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My questions concern how, not whether,
biotechnology contributes to in situ conservation of threatened species,
medicinal or otherwise. I'm not a biotechnologist, so do forgive and
correct me if I misunderstand the science. I'm much encouraged by the
forward-looking approach Botresearch is demonstrating in anticipating the
possibility of increased harvest pressure on particular species, particularly
those that are already threatened. I'm not necessarily expecting that
Botresearch will have answers to my questions, but I'd like to probe the
assumptions and objectives of biotechnology/reintroduction with respect to
conservation.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Question 1: What is cause of the current
decline or vulnerability of these species, if not harvest pressure?
Might the re-introduced individuals and enriched populations be threatened
by these circumstances also?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Question 2: When germplasm is selected for
tissue culture and mass reproduction of these species, is this done with a
knowledge of existing genetic diversity in the species and in the populations
from which material is selected? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I ask this question because there are several
objectives, not necessarily mutually compatible, and not necessarily serving
conservation or long-term sustainable use, that might be a priority in
selecting this material in situ, and further along in the process, in selecting
the individual seedlings produced ex situ (in tissue culture) that will
be added to natural populations.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Question 3: How can we monitor the long-term
result and contribution to conservation of re-introduction / enrichment of
populations? If maintaining or enhancing the production value of a
population is an objective, this would be encouraged, at least in the short
term, by selecting for desirable qualities, such as root mass, shape, chemical
composition, and the result would become evident in a genetic
shift in-situ towards these characteristics (unless the process of
selection has the perverse impact of diminishing the
survivorship/competitive/reproductive advantage) of these individuals and the
population overall). The long-term result, however, has potential to
be decreased natural and adaptive genetic diversity in these now-managed
populations. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Question 4: Is it feasible to use
biotechnology, such as tissue culture, to maintain intra-specific genetic
diversity as a primary objective? Or, assuming that we could document and
select for the broad range of existing genetic diversity in a species, might we
run the risk of competing with natural selection by working to preserve
genotypes that are no longer of adaptive value to a species in nature, however
desireable they might be to us as sources of medicine?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I leave this listserve with this burden of
questions to ponder. I am away from my email for the coming week, so there
is no rush to reply!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kind regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Danna Leaman, Chair, IUCN/SSC Medicinal Plant
Specialist Group</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>*********************************</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>Botresearch
<st1:country-region><st1:place>USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> is currently
working with plants in one of the largest medicinal plant families, that being
the Lamiaceae/ Labiatae family. Most people are familiar with those species eg.
Mint, thyme ,basil and oregano which have culinary applications, but far fewer
are familiar with<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>those which have
recently been found to have medicinal applications. A case in point is that of
Agastache rugosa which has shown inhibitory reactions to <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>HIV-1 <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>virus. While this native of
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region> is not
currently threatened or endangered now, its future in light of new research is
likely to lead to<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>one of concern as
a result of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>high demand.</DIV>
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<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Since only a small percentage
of the species in this family have been researched for potential medicinal
applications or as a potential source for new pharmaceuticals, what is
to say that other Agastache species eg. A. scrophulariifolia, A nepetoides,
or A. foeniculum could not have similar potential. These species which so
far have not been evaluated<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>are
currently on the threatened and endangered species by state list in
<st1:place><st1:City>Connecticutt</st1:City>,
<st1:State>Iowa</st1:State></st1:place>,
<st1:State><st1:place>Kentucky</st1:place></st1:State>,
<st1:State><st1:place>Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>,
<st1:State><st1:place>New Jersey</st1:place></st1:State>,
<st1:State><st1:place>Vermont</st1:place></st1:State>, and Tennesee as being
of Special Concern, Threatened or Endangered. What will happen if they turn
out to have a similar value to A. rugosa ?</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As a result of this,
Botresearch
<st1:country-region><st1:place>USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> is
taking a proactive stance and utilizing biotechnology to mass produce these
species via tissue culture and retuning them to their natural habitats
utilizing university students, and interested conservation
organizations.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We would challenge others to
join with us, or begin work on medicinal species in other plant families to
prevent or reverse the conditions which currently or could in the future
cause concern for these species. I hope this answers your query as to what
we are doing currently.</P>Regards,<BR>J.N.Covanes<BR>Director of
Research<BR>Botresearch USA<BR>23410 Harpergate<BR>Spring, Texas
77373<BR>USA<BR>fax: (281)355-1857<BR><A
href="http://www.botresearch.com">www.botresearch.com</A></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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