CHAPTER 9

Refers to the
variability among living
organisms from all sources,
including terrestrial,
marine, and other aquatic
ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of
which they are part; this
includes diversity within
species, between species,
and of ecosystems.
It was a growing awareness of how all living things are related to each
other.
 It is a system devised by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus to classify
organisms in the natural world. It is commonly used today and shows that
though the living organisms in the world are so diverse, they still share many
traits.
This refers to the
hierarchical system of
classifying and naming
organisms. It builds on the
ability of the mind to find the
common in the diverse, the
One in the Many.
 Where several different species and genera
cohabitate, there is rich biodiversity. one of the
basic laws of the living is that of self –
preservation. An organism will sacrifice all that
it has to ensure its survival. And to be able to
survive, they have to rely on the way the
available energy supply in the world is shared
among the different species through the
various ecological relationships. The energy
needed to live is shared among the elements of
the living world, or passed on from one to
another.
THE 2010 INTERNATIONAL
YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY

The 2010 International Year of Biodiversity was declared by the

United Nations (UN). It’s a key reminder of how fundamental
biodiversity is to the health of planetary systems as well as human
prosperity and wellbeing — and a chance for all of us to learn more.

It focuses on boosting awareness of biodiversity’s importance by

promoting actions to foster biodiversity worldwide. Various partners
have committed to actively participating in organizing activities and
projects for this year – long event.
 BIOTECHNOLOGY
It is a technology that utilizes biological systems, living organisms or
parts of this to develop or create different products.

The growing list of biotechnology products includes medicines,

medical devices, and diagnostics, as well ass more – resilient crops,
biofuels, biomaterials, and pollution controls.
 “Law and policy of
relevance to the
management of plant
genetic resources”
(Bragdon et al., 2005)
A module released by The Biodiversity
International which aims to help professionals in
managing, conserving, and using plant genetic
resource for food and agriculture. The module
provides the following definitions:
1. Biotechnology uses biological systems, living
organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or
modify products or processes for a specific use.

2. Genetic engineering is a technique that allows

genes and DNA to be transferred from one source to
another. It leads to the production of living modified
organisms (LMOs) or genetically modified organisms
(GMOs).

3. Modern biotechnology gives scientists

molecular tools for obtaining a better
understanding of the structure and function of
genes in living organisms.
 Modern biotechnology paves the way for new
developments on food and agriculture.
Particularly, it aims to develop new precision tools
and diagnostics; speed up breeding gains and
efficiency; develop pest – and disease – resistant
crops; combat salinity, drought, and problems of
agriculture; enhance the traditional quality of food;
increase crop varieties and choice; reduce inputs
and production costs; and increase profits
(Bragdon et al., 2005)
 GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) is the result of a
laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are
extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plants or
animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects,
ani8mals, or even humans.
 GENETIC MODIFICATION
 In your food! First
introduced into the food
supply in the mid-1990s,
GMOs are now present
in the vast majority of
processed foods in the
US. While they are
banned as food
ingredients in Europe
and elsewhere, the FDA
does not even require
the labeling of GMOs in
food ingredient lists.
 Although there have been attempts to increase nutritional benefits or
productivity, the two main traits that have been added to date are
herbicide tolerance and the ability of the plant to produce its own
pesticide. These results have no health benefit, only economic benefit.
 Genetically modified foods have been linked to toxic and allergic
reactions, sick, sterile, and dead livestock, and damage to virtually
every organ studied in lab animals. The effects on humans of
consuming these new combinations of proteins produced in GMOs are
unknown and have not been studied.
 CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON
BIOSAFETY
■ The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological
Diversity is an international agreement which aims to ensure the safe
handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs)
resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on
biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health. It
was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11
September 2003.
 The Protocol seeks to protect
biological diversity from the potential
risks posed by living modified
organisms resulting from modern
biotechnology. It establishes an
advance informed agreement (AIA)
procedure for ensuring that countries
are provided with the information
necessary to make informed decisions
before agreeing to the import of such
organisms into their territory. The
Protocol contains reference to a
precautionary approach and reaffirms
the precaution language in Principle 15
of the Rio Declaration on Environment
and Development. The Protocol also
establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House
to facilitate the exchange of
information on living modified
organisms and to assist countries in
the implementation of the Protocol.
END….

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