The rush to protect the genetic resources of Vietnam's biodiversity

As one of the 10 biodiversity centers in the world, this advantage of Vietnam is seriously threatened by various reasons such as indiscriminate exploitation, climate change . Therefore, the Effective conservation and use of genetic resources is one of the most important goals.

Serious threat

At the Conference on evaluating the results of scientific and technological activities on gene fund (2001-2013 period and orientation in 2020) on November 3 morning, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said that Vietnam was ranked ranked 16th in the world in terms of biological resources diversity and is one of the 10 richest biodiversity centers in the world.

Leading the National Report on Biodiversity, Mr. Quan said that Vietnam is one of the countries with many types of ecosystems, species, and abundant genetic resources. To date, about 49,200 species of organisms have been identified including 7,500 species / strains of microorganisms; 20,000 species of terrestrial and aquatic plants; 10,500 species of terrestrial animals; 2,000 species of invertebrates and freshwater fish; over 11,000 marine species.

However, this diversity is seriously threatened by indiscriminate exploitation of unconsciousness, natural disasters, backward farming habits, population growth and urbanization. In particular, climate change and sea level rise threaten genetic resources.

In fact, at present, there are a few varieties that are still very few such as piglet, Ba Xuyen pig, Ho . .

Phan Rang sheep is one of 55 new livestock species discovered in the past 10 years and exploited for commodities.(Photo: TH / Vietnam +)

Over the past ten years, the State has issued a relatively sufficient legal framework relating to the conservation and exploitation of the use of genetic resources of plants, animals and microorganisms. And in fact, the conservation of genes also has a positive effect. However, according to experts, this still faces many difficulties.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lieu, Director of the Department of Science and Technology of the economic and technical sectors (Ministry of Science and Technology), the priority order for gene conservation objects is not currently defined. Even, in some projects, tasks, objects of conservation are still spreading and unidentified. Many genetic resources are being stored, preserving insufficient grounds to be prioritized.

Besides, the level of genetic erosion in nature, production and storage is still high. At present, there is no program or project to investigate, to accurately check the true potential and actual erosion of Vietnam's genetic resources. We also lack basic research to improve storage and conservation methods as well as the limited use, exploitation and development of genetic resources (due to incomplete data, valuable information). source of gene is not available to share to users .).

Which medicine to keep the gene source?

Representatives of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) analyzed, the reason for this is because Vietnam's genetic conservation is relatively new to the world. Therefore, the management document system is lacking and inconsistent.

In addition, the allocated funding is still too limited, the situation of increasing climate change along with international integration increases natural erosion, gene source loss due to exhausted exploitation and trade, exchange across borders.

The representative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also gave a very typical example when only VND 20 billion was granted in 2012 while the demand was VND 33.7 billion and in 2013 it was VND 20 billion while the demand was 45.8 billion VND . In addition, the facilities of the networks of gene conservation are not complete, the equipment is lacking and outdated, asynchronous .

Therefore, in addition to continuing to do what has been achieved, it is necessary for Vietnam to complete the inspection and inventory of the distribution of gene sources of plants and livestock nationwide, identify objects. priorities need to collect and preserve; safe and original preservation and preservation as well as assessing the true value of existing national gene sources; Upgrade and build the National Gene Bank.

Professor, Dr. Nguyen Cong urgent, Director of the Department of Science and Training (Ministry of Health) stressed that the State needs to have a policy of assigning long-term land use rights to conservation and integration organizations. conservation with agricultural and rural development policies, farmers; integrating science and technology on gene conservation, exploitation and development .

Experts also said that it is time to develop a gene source sustainable conservation and use program and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval to promote scientific and technological activities on gene funds, contributing to conservation, effectively exploit and use the national biological resources in a sustainable way.