Is genetic diversity really that important?

[theFLINTSTONERS]

If something is really worthwhile . . . it's often said to be worth fighting for . . . if it's vitally important it might even be worth risking more than just a bloody nose or a night in jail . . .

so how important is genetic diversity?

is it worth fighting for . . . how much should/could/would a sane individual risk to protect and preserve a plants genetic heritage?

People have risked their lives to protect diversity . . .
people have literally given up their lives to protect diversity . . .

if that sounds like it's a little extreme . . . then perhaps you don't understand how vitally important to the future genetic diversity really is . . .

we've started writing an essay explaining why diversity is so critical . . . an essay that will eventually be submitted for review and potential publication w/ICMag . . .

we've actually compiled a few good stories to demonstrate the point . . . but we compose things fairly slowly . . . and the essays often change significantly during the creative process . . . so the final version will be significantly different . . .

however we'd like to "plant a seed" here on the message boards . . . hopefully to generate a little discussion and thought in the community . . . it’s too important a topic for us to just wait until we have time to get it all composed . . . with that in mind . . . here’s an excerpt from that upcoming work . . .

 

[theFLINTSTONERS]

Is genetic diversity really that important?
by the_flinstsoners / three_little_birds medicinal cannabis collective

Most of us are living under some form or another of prohibition, it certainly could be said that there’s a declared war upon our favorite plant in many different venues around the world. With so many obstacles before us, some people invariably have to ask, is genetic diversity really that important?

The truth is actually pretty simple. Protecting what remains of genetic diversity is of absolutely vital importance. It deserves to be, if not our utmost concern, then a very top priority. Individuals, who know the truth about the importance of diversity, are often ready to risk their lives to protect it! One of the best, and most stark, examples we can provide is one of our favorite botany stories. Hopefully, it should illustrate the importance of diversity in an unforgettable manner.

“A brilliant Russian botanist, Nikolai Vavilov, discovered in the 1920’s that there are centers of diversity around the world where these wild plants originated and then evolved into their myriad forms. Vavilov, an ornery genius who scoured the world for seeds, discovered eight centers (later expanded to twelve), mainly around the equator, where the plants had enjoyed the longest coevolution in nature, permitting multiple mutations and permutations. In a luminescent twenty-year burst, Vavilov and his army of twenty-six thousand assistants managed to transport two hundred thousand species from around the world to the first major seed bank in the world in Leningrad. Tragically, in a conflict with a Stalinist Russian scientist, Vavilov was banished to a military prison camp where he died in 1943.”

The story doesn’t end here, but this seems to be a good “signpost” for an editorial insert. Rather than give in to the official “Soviet” line of thinking, which was tailored to Communist ideology rather than scientific fact, Vavilov risked his reputation, and eventually gave up his life, to protect and forward the truth. Not only was Vavilov himself an inspired man, and a groundbreaking Botanist, he was also man of real character. It’s little wonder then, that Nikolai Vavilov is an inspiration to many amateur botanists who prize scientific facts, and the truth, above political correctness, or bowing down to those in authority.

“Meanwhile, the seed bank he had amassed came under threat during the terrible siege of Leningrad-St. Petersburg, which lasted for nine hundred brutal days during which six hundred thousand people starved to death. His loyal botanists risked bullets and bombs to venture into nearby fields to propagate potatoes for their collection. When they ran out of food to eat, they faced the awful choice of either eating their collection or starving to death. Soldiers entering the facility found their emaciated bodies amid untouched sacks of rice, potatoes, corn, and wheat, a legacy they held more valuable than their lives.”

portions in italics quoted from "Seeds of Change - The Living Treasure" by Kenny Ausubel

 

[Guest]

I really like your articles and essays. POlease keep them coming!!
Thanks and God Bless
Obli

 

[Beetlepumpr]

Actually diversity is forbiddden , as in hybrids in Biblical terms, no mixing period in the old testament, By the way the Old Testament is still in effect. Jesus said, I have not come to do away with the law, just to complete it. Hybrids are forbidden, no mixing of races, no mixing of linens, with man made etc. while you are wearing them. No eating pig meat, hmm, funny pig meat is 90% human genetically ( heart transplants parts), I wonder why? Is it a man made genetic malformation or formation from who knows ( abductions are up, and there is plenty of genetic material to go around 3 times ). Pig skin prognostigation at it's finest. Nothing like a bunch of boys running around chasing pig skin on sabbath day while we watch and yeehoo, think about it. As in the days of Noah it shall be again in the last days ( Noah was , with his family the only genetically pure ppl left ) Wonder what's here and what is comming ( ask our so-called LEADERS, they know) . Sorry had to speak.

 

[theFLINTSTONERS]

Actually diversity is forbiddden , as in hybrids in Biblical terms, no mixing period in the old testament, By the way the Old Testament is still in effect. Jesus said, I have not come to do away with the law, just to complete it. Hybrids are forbidden, no mixing of races, no mixing of linens, with man made etc. while you are wearing them. No eating pig meat, hmm, funny pig meat is 90% human genetically ( heart transplants parts), I wonder why? Is it a man made genetic malformation or formation from who knows ( abductions are up, and there is plenty of genetic material to go around 3 times ). Pig skin prognostigation at it's finest. Nothing like a bunch of boys running around chasing pig skin on sabbath day while we watch and yeehoo, think about it. As in the days of Noah it shall be again in the last days ( Noah was , with his family the only genetically pure ppl left ) Wonder what's here and what is comming ( ask our so-called LEADERS, they know) . Sorry had to speak.

Man! you are extremist in your view. . .

diversity is forbiddden

NUMBER 1. . . the God who created all life is the master of diversity. . . look at anything around you, it speaks to both uniqueness and diversity. . . Nature itself in plants cross-breed without abandon and create diversity.. . . have you ever see any 2 peas identical in a pea pod??. . . horses and donkeys interbreed and produce mules who cannot breed further. . . do you suppose they didn't read the Master Creator's Laws??

Hybrids are forbidden, no mixing of races, no mixing of linens, with man made etc. while you are wearing them

These were laws given strictly to the Levites, who were a family dedicated to the duties of assisting people with sacrifices and rites etc. . . so they were meant to keep them at optimum health and the wearing of mixed fibers have a propensity to make one sweat. . . therefore the message of the pure linens was that the Master's work is not ever meant to cause one to sweat- and if you do then you had better examine the intent of your heart. . .

and

No eating pig meat, hmm, funny pig meat i

Number 2
Scientific evidence has proven many times that if a person is on the border of getting sick. . . that is your immunity is compromised. . . that ingesting pork and bottom-eating seafood that it will likely send one over the edge to convalescence. . . the reason?? . . . is because it takes a huge percentage more of enzymes to digest that. . . and takes away from the immune system to deal with the extra toxins given off in the work of the body. . . therefore it is a sound law anyway for all folks. . . likewise also certain combinations of foods such as dairy mixed with animal flesh causes vigorous reactions in body chemistry

Jesus said, I have not come to do away with the law, just to complete it.

Number 3 . . this is completely out of context and you know it. . . the intent of that part of His speaking He was refering to the temple and sacrificial laws . . . in that . . . Jesus was speaking about his spiritual mission of finishing any continued need to kill animals to merely cover their sins for a tempoary period, only to have to sacrifice a new animal for another time frame. . . . You truly have to understand the impact and spiritual comprehension that was made from the day that mankind fell into disobedience in the Garden. . .

As in the days of Noah it shall be again in the last days ( Noah was , with his family the only genetically pure ppl left ) Wonder what's here and what is comming ( ask our so-called LEADERS, they know) . Sorry had to speak

number 4. . .

Sorry had to speak

. . . NO YOU ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION WHATSOEVER TO SPEAK!!. . . in fact the wise man waits until he is asked. . . there is no reason for anyone to come over here to proselytize this community or anyone anywhere with this kind of verbal vomit and ill-conceived bible bashing. . . it isn't going to convert anyone. . .ever heard of the proverb that it is better to attract flies with honey than with vinegar?? . . .you might want to study the significance of that at length!

In the end. . . if you can’t say sumthin bnice don’t say nuttin at all!

 

[theFLINTSTONERS]

I really like your articles and essays. POlease keep them coming!!
Thanks and God Bless
Obli

thanks much for the kind comment . . .

there are times where we feel as though we are beating our heads against a brick wall . . .

so it's the occasional kind word that keeps us going . . .

 

[dyren]

Hmm beetlepumpr's post seems unnecessary. Cool article but I would like to hear more. What can all of us do to preserve diversity? What if we only have a small setup and don't even produce seed nor chuck pollen? Am I HURTING the diversity of the plant by buying packs of hybrids and growing them out? It doesn't seem like it.

Cheers

 

[theFLINTSTONERS]

Hmm beetlepumpr's post seems unnecessary. Cool article but I would like to hear more. What can all of us do to preserve diversity? What if we only have a small setup and don't even produce seed nor chuck pollen? Am I HURTING the diversity of the plant by buying packs of hybrids and growing them out? It doesn't seem like it.

Cheers

those are all good questions . . . and if there were easy answers they wouldn't have to be asked . . .

we can give you a personal opinion . . . from our perspective we would NOT say you or any other small grower is hurting diversity by purchasing a pack of seeds . . . some folks might see it as a problem . . . but we just don't see the average grower causing harm by just growing and minding their own business . . .

not everyone wants to be in the "front lines" of the battle for diversity . . . there's nothing wrong with that . . . we ourselves are not terribly likely to go trekking in Nepal etc to find germplasm to protect / preserve . . . two of us here are probably too ill / disabled to consider such an expedition . . .

but that doesn't mean we can't study the most recent literature available . . . and do our work in an "advisory" capacity . . . writing essays to inform and inspire the community . . . providing advice and assistance where asked for . . .

in the end . . . it will take all kinds of folks to win the battle to protect genetic diversity in cannabis . . . some will be needed on the front lines . . . some will be needed to help grow and multiply the landraces that need to be preserved . . . and there are a number of other roles to be played as well . . .

just caring and wanting to do something is the first step!

 

[Guest]

Those who don't understand the value of genetic diversity need to some homework. Start by reading your works here on ICMAG. It's simple common sense...but then I took and passed biology in HS. This was back when schools actually required students to understand courses. No BS back in those days.

 

[jaykush]

cannabis wouldn't be what it is today without diversity, and lately ive been seeing most of us going the wrong direction. great read hopefully this will get people on the ball.

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

I will agree that we need to maximize the diversity of the species... To a point...
It is somewhat harmful to the species to keep plants within the gene pool that would be unable to survive and reproduce without our intervention... To some degree it is not harmful, In that, occasionally Traits desired by the grower might not be the most survivable in nature...
Loosing a portion of the gene pool can be a great tragedy, and most of the time is... but occasionally the species can benefit from a culling of weakness... Most often this occurs naturally, survival of the fittest, natural selection and what not... Sometimes it occurs in the Lab, Human selection such as selecting away from hermaphroditic plants...
It is absolutely crucial, however, that within each landrace or inbred line, a large representitive cross section remains 'banked'... And in that vein of thought, there really needs to be different types of seedmakers... Breeders, who make selections and/or hybrids to achieve specific goals... And, Librarians To maintain the fullness and diversity of individual landraces without making selections, and using large populations...

 

[Rosy Cheeks]

Let's put some perspective on this genetic diversity concept:

Man has intervened with nature and the biodiversity from the very beginning.

Even in pre-historic days, man destroyed entire forests, and managed to hunt certain species of animals to extinction. Much indicates we even wiped out other species of man (Neanderthals).

We have always altered the bio-diversity in our environment, in order to customize it for our needs. Practically all the food we consume today come from genetically engineered species. Most domestic animals, vegetables and fruits have been selectively bred and genetically modified over the millenniums.

When we talk about landrace strains (Cannabis and other species), we're actually not talking about wild 'natural' strains, but in general endemic 'old' species cultivated and selectively bred by man.

The proto Cannabis Sativa that pre-dates man and agriculture is probably long since gone. Cannabis originated somewhere in Asia Minor, and spread over the Euroasian continent. Man has since cultivated the plant and brought it to all the world's continents. There was no Cannabis Sativa on the American or Australian continent before man brought it there, and perhaps not in Africa. The Colombian, Mexican and Jamaican strains we like to think of as 'pure' landraces are in fact artificially engineered by man.

So when we're talking about protecting the "genetic diversity", what are we really talking about?

The tomato plant was originally a plant that grew small, acid, green fruits the size of cherries. Today, thanks to selective breeding and genetic engineering, tomatoes comes in all different shapes, sizes, colours and tastes.
We are in fact not threatening genetic diversity in the tomato plant, we are expanding it.

I believe we're doing the same thing with Cannabis.

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

Good point Rosy... Corn is another Example whose wild ancestors were completely replaced by a domesticated strain... Your post more eloquently explains the first portion of the point I was trying to make...

I do think that the inbred lines which are available for preservation should be preserved in their current state, as well as selectively bred toward improvement, Because without the Preservation of the diversity alreay present... we have no 'fallback position' geneticly speaking in case the worst scenerios come about...

 

[Rosy Cheeks]

And by preserving the so called landrace strains, oldskools and elite cuts, we're further expanding the Cannabis diversity, because now we have both the new hybrids and the old strains. They don't rivalise, they complement. So I'm all for it.

It's not because Jimi Hendrix and The Doors were perfect in the time and aged they lived, that we should not bother making new music today.

 

[kush07]

Diversity is neccessary. If we stay static in our genetics the pool will become stagnant and very bland. One strain that is "polluting" our current genetics is C99. While a great strain on its own, it is now commonly found in a great majority of strains being produced. I am all for going back to the landrace strains and getting back to mother nature's original recipe.

Start creating some intresting crosses and something amazing could just happen.

Happy Toking

 

[Grat3fulh3ad]

Diversity is neccessary. If we stay static in our genetics the pool will become stagnant and very bland. One strain that is "polluting" our current genetics is C99. While a great strain on its own, it is now commonly found in a great majority of strains being produced. I am all for going back to the landrace strains and getting back to mother nature's original recipe.

Start creating some intresting crosses and something amazing could just happen.

Happy Toking

Maintaining diversity is less about what is put into the gene pool and more about what is not taken out of it....

 

[Verite]

Natural diversity or man made diversity? Stuff like corn, cats and dogs, and weed, etc dont seem to achieve greater diversity until people start tinkering. Most benefits probably occuring from closing big geographical gaps.

Which brings up an interesting point.. if given the opportunity to genetically modify weed would you?

 

[guest3854]

Well said GreatHead
Great read thus far 3LBs

 

[Rosy Cheeks]

Diversity is neccessary. If we stay static in our genetics the pool will become stagnant and very bland. One strain that is "polluting" our current genetics is C99. While a great strain on its own, it is now commonly found in a great majority of strains being produced. I am all for going back to the landrace strains and getting back to mother nature's original recipe.

I don't subscribe to this way of reasoning. Diversity is necessary yes, evolution and cross-breeding is the basic principle of nature (which is why crossing two very different genetics within a gene pool, such as "pure" Indica with "pure" Sativa, makes the most vigorous cross-breeds). Which is why trying to "protect" a certain genetic from "foreign" genetics is pointless and counter-productive, since it leads to inbreeding and depletion of the genetics.

Instead of using the term "polluting", you could use the word "enriching", because why is it that these strains are so commonly used in breeding? Because they are much appreciated by the majority of stoners/growers. We are in fact selecting the genetics we appreciate the most in order to grow new varieties from that genetic platform. We have done the same thing with fruits and vegetables, selecting the genetics with the best taste, yield, nutritive values and esthetic qualities. If they dominate other genetic varieties, it is because they are more appreciated. It's as simple as that.

It doesn't mean that the other genetic varieties will disappear, though. Us stoners/growers in the industrialized countries have a tendency to always put ourselves in the center of the Universe and forget about the rest. But we are in minority. The majority of smokers/growers all over the world cannot access or even afford $10 beans, they still grow and smoke the old landraces, well adapted to their climate and type of agriculture. So you could just as well turn it around and say that the contemporary hybrids are threatened by the landraces. It makes no sense either way.

Maintaining diversity is less about what is put into the gene pool and more about what is not taken out of it....

Yes, I guess you could say that.

 

[kingbudkong]

I personally feel it can be used in a positive manner and a negative manner and isnt as plain cut as its good or bad (black or white)

For example we can link this to genetic engineering for example like growing new limbs or body parts from stem cells i feel this is a positive step as its helping humanity and the same applies to genetics in cannabis as if its done right i feel it adds to the genepool and makes strains better when correctly done but it all falls down to the responsibility of the breeders as look at jamaican strains after we brought over the many dutch indicas for the jamaican cannabis farmers and now have lost many landrace sativas and this is a tragedy as lambsbread pure aint available no and so forth so we see there are always two sides and if its doing good like preserving our landraces and not losing original genetics i feel god wouldnt mind as its being responsible as humans...

sorry for my longwinded rant...peace out