Animal breeders often change the characteristics of domestic animals by deciding which two animals should reproduce with each other. Of course, the animals or plants whose qualities and characteristics are more desirable will be reproduced more. Their numbers will increase while the animals or plants which have less desired qualities and characteristics will decrease for they won't be nourished as well.
For example with plants, if their traits are not desired, they will not be provided with the necessary fertilisers and pesticides to help them survive as well as they potentially could. The species will become unbalanced.
Humans want to get the best traits and therefore, mass reproduce and artificially select for these traits to be obtained. Artificial selection is quite harmless but like anything else, if you do too much of it, it will have long-term effects and can create dramatic changes.
Advantages:
Artificial selection holds many potential applications in the field of medicine. These areas include stem cell research, genetic conditions and medicine production.
Stem cells have the ability to become any body cell and can match each individual perfectly. Artificial selection benefits stem cell research so that only the best stem cells are selected. Once stem cells are allowed to differentiate into organs, the best organs can be selected. Therefore, the recipient the best possible benefit.
For those who have genetic conditions, artificial selection offers hope for them through DNA therapy. In DNA therapy, a normal gene is placed into a virus genome which is introduced to the affected human after becoming harmless. These viruses are able to integrate normal human DNA into the human cells expressions so that the defected protein can be replaced by the one necessary and appropriate. Humans are able to use artificial selection to breed the best viruses in order to create the best protein and therefore, introduce then to individuals so they can function normally. DNA vaccines have the same concept.
Some medications are created by genetically modified bacteria. Artificial selection technology allows for the breeding of viruses to be created at a fast rate, improving the efficiency of drug and medicine production.
Artificial selection will be able to provide plenty of long-term as well as long lasting benefits in the for our investment in it when it comes to the field of medicine including all listed above: stem cell research, genetic conditions and medicine production.
Disadvantages
Artificial selection can be inhuman as well as cause mutations which can lead to new problems.
Though it has its benefits, the aftermath of artificial selection isn't always pleasant for the plant or animal. An example of this inhumane process is the new way of breeding chickens. Humans have them reproduced without feathers. This is not good for the chickens because chickens without feathers tend to suffer more than normal birds. For males, they may be restraint from mating since they cannot flap their wings. Also, not only chickens but birds in general, are more susceptible to parasites, harmful insects, and sunburn without if they do not have feathers.
Through artificial selection, you never know when a mutation will occur. New mutations can be good, bad, or not even make a difference. Mutations create evolutionary consequences if passed on to the next generation. Some mutations can actually be very harmful.
The circumstances which lay out what's acceptable or not require not going too far. It is amazing that our world has the technology to select artificially. It has its very beneficial advantages pertaining to potential applications in the field of medicine: stem cell research, genetic conditions and medicine production. But it also has its disadvantages: inhumanity and mutations. I think that as long as humans don't take it to far by considering what other side effects would occur, artificial selection is a good thing and worth the risks because the benefits of artificial selection involve further research and therapy for humans.
Sources:
http://www.helium.com/items/804222-artificial-selection-and-its-application-to-medicine
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/13619/naturally_artificial_selection.html
http://www.biology-online.org/2/13_genetic_engineering.htm
I like the fact how you start of by stating the defining the artificial selection. Also I liked the picture of the corn that in different stages before and after artificial selection.It made it a lot easier to read when you separated the disadvantage and the advantage. Finally the picture of the pink chicken scares me and makes me think hard about the food I eat. Overall I enjoyed reading this blog and it entertained me.
ReplyDeleteIt's true when you stated that you never know when mutation will occur. Genetics are not supposed to be messed with, if they are, they are more prone to having disadvantages (mutation)than advantages and most of the time they are irreversible. I also did research on the featherless chickens, and it actually changed my views on how these industries run things. They (the chickens) are genetically modified to be featherless because it saves time, the industry do not have to waste time feathering every single chicken. Chickens aren't meant to be featherless, and as you stated they are more likely to catch a viral infections or diseases. It is indeeed very inhumane, humanity isn't doing too great of a job in being stewards of the Earth.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite interested in the artificial selection of stem cells. I do agree that artificial selection, in general, is harmless but too much of it will result to long-term effects. I love the idea that artificial selection resulted in the creation of healthier foods but I'm quite disgusted to the other results like your featherless chickens. The featherless chickens are a product of lazy and even perhaps, sadistic people. The featherless chicken can be an equivalent of a skinless person and who wants to be that way? Anyway, my point is, artificial selection is awesome but circumstances like the featherless chicken is just plain ridiculous and twisted.
ReplyDeleteHeyy Amanda, great work on your blog:):)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I wanted to say that i love how organized your blog is; its great that you divided the pros and cons into two sections. Furthermore, I couldn't agree more with the quote "if you do too much, it will have long term affects". Similarly, I mentioned the repercussions of artificial selection (in my blog); for example how chickens who are bred to be larger, end up having a smaller brain; its absolutely horrifying. What's more is that people either don't realize these effects, or simply don't have the decency to care.
I also really enjoyed reading about the hairless chicken because I hadn't come across that when I was doing research for my blog. It was a great example of selective breeding and I liked that you included a visual, being able to SEE it, shows how real artificial selections really is.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog, and definitely agree with you on how artificial selection should be used for uses benefiting humanity, and the world, such as stem cells. The featherless chicken photo you provided really made me disgusted of how far some agriculturists would go for a more efficient chicken. Before I read your blog, I had no idea corn was created by artificial selection, and because of you, I was able to include it in my blog. Thank you so much, and wonderful blog, I really enjoyed it, and gained insight about artificial selection. Can't wait to read your next blog!
hi amanda!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very similar to mine. I also listed the advantages and disadvantages of artificial selection. But I'm not exactly clear on your position of the argument. Are you against, in support of, or in between artificial selection? If you can make your position clear in your next blog post, that would be awesome. I never thought that it would apply to medicine applications. I found that really interesting. That section about the featherless chickens was a little disturbing but highly informative. Awesome blog! Keep it up! :)
Ey bro,
ReplyDeleteNice blog post once again. I found this one short, sweet, and straight to the point. I agree with Noel. The fact that you separated the advantages and disadvantages made it easier to read. You had some pretty interesting facts about human selection. It can also be very inhumane... As you wrote about what we've done with chickens, it's pretty disgusting. The picture of the chicken allowed us to see the immoralities of human selection, which I though was great because it made your blog more interactive. I thought you could use more examples in both advantages and disadvantages, then your post would be perfect :)
hi Phen!
ReplyDeleteI liked your segment on stem cells; research into that technology is really important for humans and I think it's important for us to pursue that. We haven't gone so far into it that it causes harm to our species, which is why it doesn't surpass the limit that some genetic modification projects have done. Breeding chickens without feathers on the other hand, totally crosses the line! Chickens without feathers can get sick more easily, and bald chickens just look gross. Plucking chickens after slaughtering them isn't that much of a hassle so bald chickens are totally unnecessary!
Great blog Amanda! :)
Hey Amanda I loved the simplicity of your blog and how informative it is. This part particulary:
ReplyDelete"For example with plants, if their traits are not desired, they will not be provided with the necessary fertilisers and pesticides to help them survive as well as they potentially could. The species will become unbalanced."
That point I think mirrors human life too. IT reminds me of poor people downtown and people in poor countries. I digress. I think that your point about how the animals feel about this process is very important, but highly neglected because people don't care about the animals. It is really unfair for the animals to carry such big burdens as their lives are also played out for them as well.
Your section about drugs also kind of scared me, despite being in the advantage section of your blog. Like what if you screwed up something with the drug making process? It would create terrible side effects. There is also a possibility of a good outcome but we don't know until it happens.
Very informative blog. I enjoyed it very much.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI thought your blog was informative and very good opinions. I defintely agree with you about how artificial selection is generally harmless. Its benefits really outweigh its problems. Plus I did not not know that artificial selection could be used in stem cell research and gene therapy. That is a growing field with increasly growing needs. Its also interesting that you said that only too much of artificial selection is bad. I agree as well, artificial selection is beneficial, however, should be used within some ground rules.
Hey Amanda
ReplyDeleteNice work on your blog! Though it was rather short, it is organized, informative and you were able to cover all the points. Through your blog I learned about the term DNA therapy, and I believe that this is one of the strongest advantages of genetic modification mentioned in your blog. This means that humans now have a chance to go against genetic conditions. But there is always the other side of the story. I totally disagree with the idea of the featherless chickens, it is unnecessary and pointless. And by including the picture I feel that you really got your point across to the readers. You did a great job, I can’t wait for your other blog posts.