Gene Banks and Seed Banks: Conservation of Genetic Resources

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Science & Technology - Biotechnology and Conservation
Sub-topic: Gene Banks - Types (Seed Banks, Field Gene Banks, In Vitro Banks, Cryobanks, DNA Banks), National Gene Bank (NGB - India), Seed Banks - Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Indian Seed Vault (Chang La, Ladakh), Plant Genetic Resources, Genetic Erosion, Crop Wild Relatives, Plant Variety Protection, Farmers' Rights, Biodiversity Act 2002, National Biodiversity Authority, Benefit Sharing
Mains GS Paper-III: Science & Technology - biotechnology, conservation of genetic resources, food security; GS Paper-III: Agriculture - seed security, climate-resilient crops.

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EXAMINER REASONING

Gene banks are the libraries of biological diversity - insurance against genetic erosion and food insecurity. Prelims tests: National Gene Bank (NGB - NBPGR), Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Indian Seed Vault (Chang La), types of gene banks (seed, field, in vitro, cryo, DNA), Plant Variety Protection and Farmers Rights Act (PPV&FR Act, 2001), Nagoya Protocol, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), ICAR-NBPGR. Mains demands: (a) types of gene banks - seed banks (orthodox seeds - dried and frozen), field gene banks (living collections - for recalcitrant seeds like mango, cocoa), in vitro banks (tissue culture), cryobanks (liquid nitrogen - -196°C), DNA banks (genetic sequences), (b) **India's National Gene...