Yes, there are seed banks around the world and many in the USA, too.
There isn’t a shortage of seeds. I work for a seed company. Granted, some years there are shortages of a particular VARIETY, but we’re not going to run out of seed as long as there are people (like me) who are making money at it.
As far as SAVING seed, you need to grow open-or-self-pollinating varieties, usually called ‘Heirloom Seed.’ You also need isolation cages or acres and acres of land between varieties so you don’t get cross-pollinization.
Hybridized seeds will not produce TRUE, but they still will produce...either the male or female cross of the plant the seed came from in the first place.
See sales last year were up 30%. I predict more of the same this year...and yes, it was the worst growing season I’ve seen in 20 years...but people were still able to produce some of their food around here.
Don’t panic. Stock up if that’s where you want your dollars to sit, but there’s no need to panic.
Thanks for the informed/educated input.
Did you see the article about the 4,000 year old bean seeds that sprouted?