Re: Tropical forest dreams and nightmares

While "saving" individual plants from destruction it does have a very serious 
impact in some circumstances. There have been instances on Long Island where 
developments have gone forward on sites with rare organisms (in this case 
salamanders) because of wonderful scientists ability to collect and "save" 
them. There are surely better examples than this on but it is an issue. 
Congressman Don Young of Alaska (R), tried in 1997, 1998, and 2000, to amend 
the Endangered Species act to essentially allow  destruction of areas 
protected by the act if these rare plants and animals could be kept in 
botanic gardens and zoos. As absurd as that sounds, it will become a more 
common belief worldwide, and the public just might buy it!

Eric C Morgan
Clark Botanic Garden
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