Though I fully realize that the NCGR is underfunded and there are too many hobbyists requesting genetics, this is not the way to go about distributing germplasm. In cancelling everyone without a .edu/.gov/.org email address and then making them show letterhead proof of institutional backing, you are discriminating against the self employed and unfunded farmers/breeders/researchers conducting valuable research that props up university research. There needs to be another way. A longer application, perhaps that vets people in other ways than their institutional affiliation.

In the above situation, people in government tax others (ie, take their money under the threat of locking them in a government cage) and give it to researchers and administrators.

“Gene bank staff want to be loved”, quotes the article. But do they deserve the love of people whose stolen money they take?

Someone who forces their wants on another, threatensing them with violence and imprisonment should they not comply, may also claim to want the person’s love.

But they do not deserve, and will not receive it.

In the above situation, people in government tax others (ie, take their money under the threat of locking them in a government cage) and give it to researchers and administrators.

“Gene bank staff want to be loved”, quotes the article. But do they deserve the love of people whose stolen money they take?

Someone who forces their wants on another, threatening them with violence and imprisonment should they not comply, may also claim to want the person’s love.

But they do not deserve, and will never receive it.

Lately I have been getting requests from others that the USDA has sent my way (some of the material was removed from the system or put into storage at Fort Collins, Co.). If someone is breeding or doing seed increases and I still have viable seed, I am usually glad to help.

That may be one alternative but still takes conservators time to look up records or maintain some sort of tracking system.