This is an edited compilation of papers from a symposium held in Rome in 1996. It addresses the key issues involved in the estimation of the economic value of conserving genetic resources for agriculture.

The essays collected here address some of the key issues for estimating the economic value of conserving genetic resources in agriculture. The chapters are grouped into five main categories: modeling the role of genetic resources in plant breeding; empirical studies of plant breeding and field diversity; empirical studies of breeding values; property rights; and the implications of development in biotechnology.

Modelling the role of genetic resources in plant breeding
empirical studies - plant breeding and field diversity
empirical studies - breeding values
property rights
the implication of development in biotechnology.