Artificial Selection...Is it really worth it?

“Artificial selection”…these two words are pretty much self-explanatory. It is the process of selecting artificially; but what exactly are we selecting here? The term “artificial selection”, opposite to “natural selection”, revolves around the study of evolution. Instead of letting nature do its job, when things are done artificially, it means that humans have tweaked around with the system and was able to influence its natural course. Artificial selection actually refers to the ability to select genes and characteristics of plants and animals. This is done either through breeding certain parts of the population or through mutation. By inserting, deleting or substituting various DNA molecules, a greater variety of animals and plants can be created. Therefore, the results of artificial selection are said to be man-made.

Wow…being able to select genes…sounds amazing doesn’t it? Imagine being a dog breeder using artificial selection. You’d be making endless types of wonderful dogs either to sell or to put into dog shows. That may seem like a great idea, but most of the time, when humans make decisions; they only look at the good side of it and not the bad. Although having a variety of dogs may be terrific, we need to consider what kind of effects this would have on the animals themselves. Some traits that are favoured by humans may not exactly be beneficial to the animals.


Taking the example of the cavalier spaniel, a very cute little dog, we can see why humans have chosen to continue breeding this type. They are just adorable and have won many dog shows. However, to the benefits of humans winning dog shows, these dogs are often suffering from immense pain due to how they turned out. Many cavalier spaniels are found to have a disease called “syringomyelia”, meaning that their skulls are too small to hold their brains, causing some of the brain’s cerebellum to squeeze out through a hole at the back of the skull. OUCH!...poor dogs. Is it really worth having these animals suffer to accommodate the need of dog breeders to sell more dogs and to win more dog shows?

Not only is artificial selection commonly used amongst dogs, but many other animals as well. However, just like with the dogs, most of the time the traits selected by humans only benefits the humans and not the animals themselves. Artificial selection is also used to create cows with bigger udders to produce more milk. This type of mutation is very uncomfortable for the cows because they are carrying more milk than they should and their udder would be heavier to carry around.

Although I have ranted on quite a bit about how artificial selection is really inhumane to animals,
I must admit that under a few, and I stress the words “a few”, circumstances, artificial selection does provide an advantage. Many of the vegetables we eat today would not have existed if it weren’t for artificial selection. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale and kohlrabi were all evolved from wild mustard (as shown in the picture). Many of these vegetables are commonly eaten by people today and without the process of artificial selection, they may have never existed.

Overall, I find that there are more disadvantages to artificial selection than advantages. When it comes to using artificial selection with animals, I strongly disapprove, because we could not guarantee that we do not hurt the animals as a result of the selection. However, I’m a bit more flexible with plants. Personally, I love eating cauliflower, broccoli and cabbage. Without artificial selection, these vegetables would never be available. The only circumstances where humans should use artificial selection are when it does not harm the products themselves.

Sources:

Artificial Selection

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/evo101/IIIE4Evochange.shtml

Basic Genetics: Artificial Selection http://library.thinkquest.org/C0118084/Gene/Genetic_variation/artificialselection.htm

Selective Breeding

http://www.biology-online.org/2/12_selective_breeding.htm

Syringomyelia (SM) and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/syringomyelia.htm

What is Artificial Selection?

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-artificial-selection.htm

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Hazel Llanes: "Bigger, Fatter, Tastier!"
http://hazelisgreen.blogspot.com/


Marvin Zamora: "ehh, leaving things up to nature is overrated...joke..."
http://marvinsbioblog.blogspot.com/