GENETICS AND CONSERVATION

The basic sciences of genetics and ecology have long played a vital role in agriculture. New technologies spawning a gene revolution promise to revolutionize agricultural genetics. The opportunities to utilize these new techniques, along with standard methods of animal and plant breeding, are great for agriculture, conservation biology, and their synergism. Biological diversity is inextricably linked to human welfare. Genetic engineering is viewed as having both promise and risk to agricultural and natural biological systems, suggesting that its application must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In order to adequately manage genetic resources, patterns of genetic variation must be documented and their relationship to the life-histories of species and the functioning of ecosystems understood. To achieve this goal, species to receive attention must be prioritized, possibly based on their usefulness as indicator species in defining genetic management strategies for biological groups of species. Particular attention should be given to invasive species, to the phenotypic plasticity of species, and the organizational complexity of populations, communities, and ecosystems. A return to greater scientific emphasis at the organismal and ecosystem level obviously is essential.