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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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? </SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">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<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Before I get into the heart of this
question, I would remind members of the list that the science of biotechnology
is relatively new in comparison to other scientific endeavors. Most of the
research </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">in this field
during this short period of time has been devoted to members of the animal
kingdom and more specifically to that of the human genome. At this point in our
juncture most if not all the </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">genes in this genome have been
identified and mapped and a more in depth understanding of </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">cloning and manipulation has come
about.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This however is not the case within
the plant kingdom though similar research has begun, and </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">will eventually catch up provided
current efforts are continued. We do currently have tests which enable us to
evaluate the genotype, and karyotypes within a given specie. We do not currently
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">have the ability to
relate all of <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>these to specific
traits however. Research, as it continues will eventually overcome this
shortcoming.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">With this said, I will proceed to
the heart of the question. When we select germplasm for tissue culture, we do
perform the tests to evaluate the genetics of that specie. This is done to
distinguish </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">one specie
from another, and to denote variations within a specie to aid in taxonomic
identification. These test also serve to validate successful clones.We do not
however have prior knowledge of genotypes in situ.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">When<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>we receive germplasm for mass
reproduction, we note the genetic profile but do not </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">attempt any gene manipulation for
trait selection. We do watch for genetic variations amongst the samples and are
careful to represent all types equally. We would never consider mass producing
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">a single genotype
exclusively as that would impact the native population. When the seedlings are
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">returned, they are
returned to their place of origin and not sent to any other region or
country.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">This assures us that the genotypes
found in a particular region, remain in that region. As for sustainability, an
average biotech company can produce on the average of 6,000,000 Stage III
</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">plantlets /yr. .I
believe there are ample numbers of biotech companies available to have a big
impact if they are called on to do so.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I hope this answers the question
sufficiently.I will address question # 3 ASAP.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Best
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><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>