It's not actually off topic 405. I didn't know as much as I do now, about Svalbard, generally speaking. I did know about the seed bank. I'd be curious how many species, it is in fact too late to preserve, particularly in the area of rice and other grasses. It's not really off topic because the three companies I mentioned are all about heirloom seeds and biological diversity. FedCo in particular is quite vocal in its antiGMO stance, Monsanto being perhaps the greatest criminal in this area now that the government in its graft accepting wisdom has decided patenting living organisms is an acceptable and good practice. As I'd hope you'd expect of me, I do view any genetic modification as criminal, not simply irresponsible. And naturally, patenting life would be unbelievable except that it fits the model of my worldview. I wonder if you considered the ramifications of the Svalbard model? What would likely need to transpire before those seeds could be safely removed and utilized without those strains being contaminated? And in what timeframe? Alliums for instance generally have but one season of shelf life. And others can lie dormant and spread quickly when the appropriate conditions return. There are those who suggest even this sensible course of action has nefarious intentions attached to it. Which inevitably begs the question of where the impetus and financial support, flow from. This is also a reason I am a seed saver, and do not grow corn, as it would be near impossible to keep my corn from being contaminated, whether by hybrids, or GMO's. And how would I know? until another season had run its course and the problem had made itself evident, and multiplied.

I think it's a great idea, but a better one would be to stop in its tracks this entire area of "progress".

peaceably