I'll add one more comment to spur thought on the "muddying" of genetic populations. The last person to widely promote this idea, although with Homo sapiens, was a prominent WWII German. His idea of genetic superiority of "natives", and the idea of maintaining a pure race has been widely criticized, although pockets of these ethnic purists still exist. Yet, in 2014, this same principle is horticulturally championed by academic ecological purists, who would no doubt be horrified at the thought of anyone objecting to say, inter-racial marriages in humans. People bristle at the term eco-nazi, but isn't that what we're seeing? From: pbs [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Ron Mudd Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 4:31 PM To: pbs@lists.ibiblio.org Subject: [pbs] Sharing seeds of rare plants So disappointing that true enthusiasts are legislated against growing ( or sharing for free! ) local and / or possibly endangered species because of a perceived dilution of genetic viability and / or genetic contamination, when the globally influential multinational ' home and garden improvement stores' are so free to sell ( at massive mark ups!! ) potentially invasive, and most often ' weedy' non native species. Unfortunately the major botanical institutions do not help the situation as, instead of coordinating efforts to rationally resolve this situation, they pretend to go along with the legislation, whilst surreptitiously leaking rare plant material to 'amateur' acquaintances. Then when budgets are slashed, they appeal, to those denied, for financial assistance. Reap and sow ! I am afraid that I really do not understand the viewpoint of the 'environmentalist' that would rather see a population disappear under a housing development / new roadway / power initiative, than to see that population reinforced by genetic material that has come from another population 10 miles down the road !! Its true that I feel better for venting my feelings, but unfortunately simply posting here will change nothing. Unless people take real control of their immediate environment nothing will change :( _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org<mailto:pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ ________________________________