Comment 2 for bug 550101

You might be able to backup your keys with the command:
gpg --export

or

gpg --export-secret-key

From man gpg:
"--export Either export all keys from all keyrings (default keyrings and
              those registered via option --keyring), or if at least one name
              is given, those of the given name. The new keyring is written to
              STDOUT or to the file given with option --output. Use together
              with --armor to mail those keys."