Selective Breeding

Definition

Selective breeding is a process used by humans to develop new organisms with desirable characteristics. Using this method, plants and animals with specific traits are chosen to reproduce, ensuring the continuation of those traits in future generations.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Selective breeding, also known as artificial selection, is a form of genetic modification where humans actively select organisms with desirable phenotypic traits for reproduction. This process gradually increases the frequency of these traits in the population, affecting the genetic makeup over generations without the need for direct genetic engineering techniques.

Benefits

• Can improve crop yields and food production efficiency.
• Enhances specific traits such as disease resistance in plants and animals.
• Can produce organisms with improved nutritional profiles or better adaptability to environmental conditions.

Examples

• Breeding of dogs for specific behavioral or physical traits.
• Cultivating crops like wheat or rice that are more resistant to pests.
• Developing cattle that produce higher quantities of milk.

Additional Information

• Effects: Selective breeding allows for the creation of varieties with specific advantages, but it can also reduce genetic diversity, making populations more susceptible to diseases.

Related Terms

• Genetic Engineering
• Hybridization
• GMO
• Natural Selection

References

• Selective Breeding: Unlocking the Potential of Genetic Variation
• Understanding Genetic Breeding, Past and Present