scholarly journals UNESCO?s perspective on biological resource centres

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Lucy Hoareau ◽  
Julia Hasler

The initiative of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to establish biological resources centres (BRCs) and eventually a Global Biological Resources Centres Network (GBRCN) is a welcome one at a time when loss of biodiversity is becoming a critical concern to scientists and many governments.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7791
Author(s):  
Nan Ma ◽  
Siyuan He ◽  
Qingwen Min

An agricultural heritage system is a special type of protected area that is both culturally and ecologically important. Biological resources are an essential component of an agricultural heritage system. They are necessary to support human livelihood, and their usage is key to ensuring biodiversity. This study used a survey questionnaire and key informant interviews to investigate the use of edible biological resources (EBRs) in the Shuangjiang Mengku ancient tea and culture system (SMATCS). We investigated similarities and differences in EBR use between four minority groups as well as the driving forces behind them. The four groups used 245 EBR species in 113 families, and diversity of EBR use was found in terms of species, edible parts, harvest season, and usage. EBR use within groups was driven by natural, cultural, social, and economic forces. Two social factors (infrastructure and communication), two economic factors (overall economic development and farmer income), and a biological resource (species diversity) drove EBR utilization in all the groups convergently, while three cultural factors drove EBR utilization divergently. To assure the long-term sustainability of EBRs, the preservation of cultural diversity should be combined with the conservation of biodiversity. Targets must be set to adjust the impacts of the driving factors, and more stakeholders must be involved in the conservation of EBRs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anabela Martins ◽  
Nelson Lima ◽  
Paulo Sampaio

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to develop a standard providing requirements for managing the quality and competence of the biological resource centres (BRC). Design/methodology/approach The methodology for the standard setting was based on the principles of credibility, transparency, alignment and consistency. A justification study was performed to establish its objectives and scope, avoid overlap and prevent the risks in implementation. International documents providing rules for standard development were taken into consideration. Requirements were assembled from several standards and participation of interested parties was promoted. Findings No relevant international document exists covering fundamental issues for BRC operation. It is possible to develop a consistent and aligned standard, under a credible and transparent process that fits BRC purposes. Practical implications This standard will strengthen the BRC technical competence increasing its capability to provide authenticated high-quality biological materials – a crucial factor for biotechnological developments in the fields of health, agriculture and environment. It will serve as a basis for the BRC compliance assessment and the launch pad for establishing the global BRC network. Originality/value Original paper.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Vera Weihs

The 2001 OECD report Biological resource centres: underpinning the future of life sciences and biotechnology resulted in the establishment of the Guidance for the operation of BRCs. This document still is in its final stage of discussions and has not yet been passed. Nevertheless, many traditional service culture collections already comply (or try to) with these guidelines in their daily work.


Author(s):  
Ramezan Mahdavi Azadboni

One of the important components in the theory of the evolution of species is the idea of natural selection. The question is, are the assumptions of the subject in the idea of natural selection compatible with the religious conception of nature and the world around? In this study, the author will discover on the base of Quranic verses that how the theory of biological resource scarcity as one of the basic assumptions in the idea of natural selection conflicts with the Qur'anic interpretation regarding nature. If we can show the lack of credibility and inaccuracy of the idea of the biological resources scarcity and the inappropriateness of biological resources with the needs of the creatures-as one of the assumptions underlying evolutionary theory-in this case, an important step has been to distort the above-mentioned theorem. In the Holy Qur'an, traits such as selfishness are often warned that are considered as the basis of excesses leads to poverty and shortages. Quraanic promises according to which righteous individuals will govern on earth, on the one hand, and the divine promise of securing the living of the beings on the other hand effectively challenges the idea of natural selection.


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Ronald M Atlas

Biological resource centres (BRCs), which house the world?s microbial culture collections, have emerging biosecurity responsibilities to prevent terrorists from acquiring dangerous pathogens that could be used to do harm. This presents a major challenge to the primary functions of BRCs, which are to supply biological materials for research, public health protection and economic development.


Therapies ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 355-357
Author(s):  
Bruno Clément ◽  
Jean-Alexis Grimaud ◽  
Jean-François Deleuze ◽  
Eric Postaire ◽  
I. Barilero ◽  
...  

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