ABSTRACT
Genetic diversity and its opposite, genetic vulnerability, have been a concern for 40 years or more, dating back at least to when scientists first were able to demonstrate that certain epidemic disease and insect disasters were the consequence of uniform genetic susceptibility of the affected crops. The present nationwide, in fact worldwide, trust in genetic diversity and mistrust of plant breeders' ability to provide it is based on certain inadequate perceptions of reality. Plant breeders are very much aware of the need for genetic diversity; they are attempting to provide it, but they cannot and should not control what farmers plant. The germ plasm repositories--the seed banks -- are riot the only ones to maintain germ plasm. Plant breeders in both public and private institutions have extensive collections of elite adapted materials in their active breeding populations. Mutual trust also is needed to maintain genetic diversity in the hybrid crops, corn and sorghum.
