Pii: S0305-750x(02)00055-4

— In contrast to a perception that ex situ collections of germplasm are rarely used, this empirical case study reveals large numbers of germplasm samples distributed by the US National Germplasm System to many types of scientific institutions located in numerous countries around the world. Germplasm distributions outside the United States favor developing over developed countries in several ways, including the numbers of samples shipped, utilization rates in crop breeding programs, and the secondary benefits brought about through sharing this germplasm with other scientists. Expected future demand is also greater among scientists in developing countries. These findings underscore the importance to global science and technology of retaining such resources in the public domain. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.