Selective Breeding

• Selective breeding (artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic characteristics
• Humans have been selective breeding for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals
• Selective breeding can lead to ‘inbreeding’ where some breeds are particularly prone to disease or inherited defects
• • Selective breeding involves choosing parents with the desired characteristic from a mixed population
  • They are bred together
  • From the offspring those with the desired characteristic are bred together
  • This continues over many generations until all the offspring show the desired characteristic
• The characteristic that is breed for can be chosen for usefulness or appearance:

  • Disease resistance in food crops
  • Animals which produce more meat or milk
  • Domestic dogs with a gentle nature
  • Large or unusual flowers