"Gasgembo, Sinhala Sahal Saha Jaanahoru" Tree frogs, Sinhala rice and gene pirates A third world view on biodiversity ISBN 955-97260-0-5 Vajira Dharmawardene Price Rs. 200/- Reviewed by Prof. Eric Karunanayake Prof. of Biochemistry, Head, Dept. of biochemistry and molecular biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. This book written by a young graduate in medical sciences is undoubtedly a timely piece of work. Biodiversity today is a topic addressed by scientists, non scientists and journalists. A clear understanding of the term "biodiversity" is therefore an essential requirement.

Biodiversity or the variety of plant and animal life found on earth, is essential for human survival Goods and services such as food clothing, pharmaceuticals, housing are derived from diverse biological resources.

Advances in molecular biology and biotechnology have led to many new agricultural and medical applications all dependent on biological resources.

The loss of Biodiversity endangers life on earth and deprives the mankind of many substances needed to produce new medicines, crop varieties and other products through biotechnology. It is said that about 25% of all prescription medications used in United States contain active ingredients derived from plants.

While it is essential to preserve this valuable resource it is also important to use this asset in a sustainable manner. However before such attempts are made it is essential to understand the multidimensional nature of biodiversity.

For example take the issue of sustainable use of biological diversity. Though the necessary facilities needed for advanced biotechnology is presently available mainly in the west, the major portion of the global biodiversity is found in the poor countries of the south. Recently it has given rise to heated debates in the area of intellectual property rights.

Vajira Dharmawardene has taken a challenging subject for his work, an urgent need of the country. The book consists of ten very readable chapters plus a clear introduction to the subject by Dr. Sarath Kotagama who is a highly respected Sri Lankan scientist in the field.

Chapters on measuring, domestication, historical patterns of biological diversity, and the two chapters on the biodiversity of Sri Lanka are illuminating. The chapters discussing the relationship of biodiversity to climate change and the human consumption patterns are specially important on today’s context.

Issues raised in the book in relation to patent rights and the rights of the people of the third world, should be read by everybody concerned about the conservation and sustainable utilization of biological resources of Sri Lanka.

This book may not be a complete work on biodiversity. I may not even agree with some of the stances taken by author. But the fact that a young author has taken all the pains to produce a piece of work for which there is an urgent need should be greatly appreciated.

With educational reforms currently in progress there is an urgent demand for clear understanding of the subject biodiversity by teachers and students of science, specialy in ordinary and advanced level classes.

This book in my opinion is an essential reading material for all the teachers and students in biological sciences not to mention the informed citizen who has an interest in the environmental issues of today.