Selective breeding, also known as artificial selection, is a process in which humans breed organisms to enhance specific traits. Unlike natural selection, where nature determines which traits are advantageous, in selective breeding, humans choose desirable characteristics.
Examples of Selective Breeding:
Agriculture: Farmers have bred wheat for higher yield and disease resistance.
Livestock: Dairy cows have been selectively bred to produce more milk.
Pets: Different dog breeds, such as Labradors for companionship and Greyhounds for speed, were developed through selective breeding.
Effects on Evolution:
Selective breeding has led to the creation of new breeds with specialized traits.
It reduces genetic diversity, making organisms more susceptible to diseases.
Over generations, it can lead to significant changes in a species, similar to natural evolutionary processes.
Although selective breeding speeds up changes in species, it does not always lead to survival advantages in nature, unlike natural selection.