Hybrids (my last word?)

From: "Eduardo Goncalves" edggon at hotmail.com> on 2000.05.03 at 02:53:27(4526) Hey, guys... here we go again! Oh, my dear friend Wilbert, don't take things personally. I wasn't commenting your very elucidative (and long) message! I cited it just to start the talk. Understand me, we agree in almost everything! I also think it is important to keep plants in a greenhouse and my main work in the last five years is to look for plants in the wild (and ask you some...) and put them in cultivation. I also know you are not against hibridisation. Just like you, I am saying that hibridisation is not so bad like it seems. So take it easy! +More When I said that the existence of hybridisation and other "artificial" procedures can help in preservation, I was thinking that the appeal to preserve something is usually in his usefulness. Humans are pragmatic animals. Natural populations are usually full in genetic diversity, so it is good to keep those genetic reserves. In Brazil, passion fruit (Passiflora) are very appreciated because of its edible fruits, but we have serious problems because most genetic diversity for breeding programs have been lost during the deflorestation of the Atlantic Coastal Forest. We just discovered it too late! The only point we disagree is when you use that social darwinist to explain why northern countries are rich and why southern countries are poor. Corruption is common, but it is not the only thing in this story. Remember that during almost a century after the European contact, South-American countries were severely plundered by European pirates, maily looking for brazil-timber and other exotic items (including many pirates from Netherlands in Northeastern Brazil). Militar governments were sponsored by North Americans during the 60's and 70's, during the cold war. It is hard to find a way with such international "help"! But I am not asking for my people. I am asking for the plants. International organizations (like Green Peace and many others) are really doing a great job here. We just need more of this! All we need are romantic people! (the only thing I can assure is that those pirates weren't romantic) Sincerely, Eduardo. (a romantic evolutionist?) > >You are such a romantic!! But I guess you're right that natural resources >are exploited and probably mostly so by "rich countries". And what are you, >as a person living IN an "exploited" country, going to do about it? Tell >others to keep their hands off? That won't work. Tell your government to >keep others out and try to establish your own useful system of exploitation >that may also hold a preservation component (NOT shifting cultivation but >sustainable agriculture etc.). It's your call! Rich countries cannot >exploit >other countries if they are not "helped" from within by corrupt governments >or corrupt civil servants etc. > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

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