Artificial Selection - Good or Bad?

It is best understood that artificial selection is a contrast to natural selection. Unlike natural selection, which animals survive and reproduce isn't random. Individuals select desirable traits and combine them to create what they think is 'ideal'. After reading and learning about the capability of humans and technology, it seems we've conquered them all. Artificial selection is generally performed on agriculture and a variety of the fruits and vegetables we consume today derived from a single plant a long time ago. An example of artificial selection in vegetables is the chili pepper. Chili peppers have been cultivated and bred into the range of spices, tastes, shapes and colours available today. Artificial selection is largely debated about today as humans are discovering more and more ways to interfere with the evolution of a species or population.

In my opinion, artificial selection in plants is perfectly acceptable as long as nothing living is harmed in the process. Considering the wide variety of plants existing, the idea of humans modifying certain characteristics of a vegetable or fruit is revolutionary. The tasks of plant breeders and farmers have become easier as crops and plants now require low maintenance since most have a high resistance to cold temperatures and even viruses. For example, a hybrid plant that thrives throughout Mexico known as "guayule" has successfully taken its resistance to cold temperatures from its relatives. As well, some types of okra have taken resistance to the most serious plant disease through the crossing of two other edible plants. Undoubtedly, artificial selection in plants is a positive innovation and is beneficial for both humans and plants.

However, I have a different standpoint on artificial selection with animals. Similar to the previous blog topic on designers babies, humans manipulating the genes of any living creature to make it "perfect" is inhumane, promotes superficiality and discourages the natural way of life. It is common today that livestock such as pigs, cows and chickens are artificially enhanced and bred so they are able to provide farmers with more meat or milk. With such advantages, we can easily oversee the side effects. Artificially bred species will all have the same probability of survival and vulnerability to diseases and illnesses can be easily passed down onto generations.


This is an interesting video on how a Japanese myth emerged from artificial selection that occurred hundreds of years ago.

Even though I object artificial selection in animals, it is inevitable that it has existed for a very long time and will continue to in the future. It is also undeniable that artificial selection has actually improved our lives and sustains our large population. The capability of humans continues to be under-estimated and as incredible as artificial selection may be and as much as it has done for us, I don't believe artificially breeding living organisms is acceptable under any circumstances.


Works Cited:

MACROEVOLUTION: Hybrid Plants and Artificial Selection
http://www.macroevolution.net/hybrid-plants.html

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES - Artificial Selection: Creating the Perfect Pet
http://www.calacademy.org/science/sia/2009/07/artificial-selection-creating-the-perfect-pet/

LIFE SCIENCE: Artificial Selection at Work
http://www.learner.org/courses/essential/life/session5/closer1.html

Artificial Selection
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IVAartselection.shtml

VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JCx5e8ZeYM&feature=related