Benefits-SharingBenefits-Sharing

Ethical responsibilities for reciprocal action apply to Ethical responsibilities for reciprocal action apply to everyoneeveryone in the germplasm-transfer chain of custody in the germplasm-transfer chain of custody

• Farmer-donors• Plant explorers• Gene bank custodians• Public plant breeders• Private plant breeders and distributors• End-user farmers• Consumers

Grand Canyon Grand Canyon descent to Supaidescent to Supai

Havasupai village fieldsHavasupai village fields

Havasupai Sunflowers

Drought resistant Sand-adapted Rust-resistant (two major

strains) One variety with bluedye Long history in Grand Canyon

eco-region

Rust Resistance in Havasupai Rust Resistance in Havasupai SunflowersSunflowers

In the early 1990s, more that 1000 accessions of sunflowers were screened for resistance to rust races 2 and 3 (to which all of the Australian sunflower hybrids were susceptible). Only 10 accessions had any resistance, but Havasupai accessions from the Grand Canyon (e.g.. PI 432512) had high resistance to both races 2 and 3, and to an undescribed Australian strain (Dr. Thomas Gulya, USDA, pers. vomm.)

Havasupai Indian Sunflower ResourcesHavasupai Indian Sunflower ResourcesSharing the benefitsSharing the benefits

Understanding the chain of custody from Havasupai fields in the Grand Canyon to Australian seed companies

Negotiating for “farmer to farmer” exchanges or other mutually-satisfying means of ensuring equity and reciprocity

Havasupai children with repatriated seedsHavasupai children with repatriated seeds