Selective breeding

Selective breeding (also known as artificial selection) is the process by which humans use animal and plant breeding to selectively develop particular phenotypic traits (phenotypes) by choosing which typically animal or plant males and females will sexually reproduce and have offspring together. Domesticated animals are known as breeds, normally bred by a professional breeder, while domesticated plants are known as varieties, cultigens, or cultivars.

History

The practice of selective breeding dates back to prehistoric times with evidence from the archaeological record including discarded animal bones and plant seeds. The process was first systematized by Robert Bakewell during the British Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century.

Process

Selective breeding can be unintentional, resulting from the process of human elimination of undesirable traits, and survival of the fittest, or it can be intentional, where individuals with desirable traits are mated to produce offspring with the same traits.

Applications

Selective breeding has been used in agriculture to improve crop yield and in livestock farming. It is also used in the pet industry to produce animals with specific physical and behavioral characteristics.

Criticism and Controversy

Selective breeding has been criticized for leading to a lack of genetic diversity, which can result in health problems in the bred population. It has also been criticized on ethical grounds, with concerns about animal welfare and the potential for genetic manipulation.

See also

• Animal breeding
• Plant breeding
• Genetic engineering
• Genetic diversity
• Inbreeding
• Outbreeding depression

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