Press Release

DNA and Tissue Banking for Biodiversity and Conservation: Theory, Practice and Uses

By Vincent Savolainen, Martyn P. Powell, Kate Davis, Gail Reeves and Angélique Corthals

The world is facing a biodiversity crisis of unprecedented magnitude. Unless there are radical changes in human behaviour, we can expect significant and alarming species loss in the near future. DNA and tissue banks have great potential as tools for biodiversity conservation, yet few have been established.

Arising from a collaborative project on DNA banking, phylogeny and conservation of the South African flora, DNA and Tissue Banking for Biodiversity and Conservation provides advice on the practical and legislative framework necessary to establish more DNA banks and is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the application of genetic technologies to conservation.

This publication outlines the requirements of the Convention of Biological Diversity and CITES, includes model legal documents, gives practical guidelines for setting up DNA banking facilities and examines worldwide case studies in the benefits of DNA banking facilities. It also provides a list of further reading and relevant URLs.

DNA and Tissue Banking for Biodiversity and Conservation will be of interest to those working in Botanic Gardens or Zoology Museums , those working in biodiversity-related university departments or conservation agencies, and those who are responsible for making biodiversity and related policies.

For further information please contact Lauren Bird, Anna Quenby or Oliver Basciano in the Kew Gardens Press Office on 020 8332 5607 or email pr@kew.org.

Notes to Editors:

DNA and Tissue Banking for Biodiversity and Conservation: Theory, Practice and Uses is published by Kew Publishing in association with the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and can be purchased online at www.kewbooks.com.

Kew Publishing also publishes a wide variety of other science publications including species checklists and field guides.

Author information

Vincent Savolaninen is Deputy Head of the Molecular Systematics Section, Jodrell Laboratory, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Imprint: Kew Publishing, in association with IUCN
Specification: 190 mm x 246 mm
Page extent: 168
Illustrations: approx. 10 colour photos, plus b/w graphs, tables and maps
Publication date: January 2006
Price: £25.00
ISBN/ISSN: 1-84246-119-2
Rights: © The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction and its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract over one million visitors per year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and represents over 250 years of historical landscape. For further information please visit www.kew.org

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