Selective Breeding
What is selective breeding?Selective breeding is when humans choose two parent plants or animals with good qualities and make them reproduce so their babies also have those qualities .It is also called artificial selection.
Why selective breeding is done
more food
better quality animals
stronger plants
faster growth
better behaviour
disease resistance
How selective breeding works
choose parents with good qualities
breed them
offspring are born with those qualities
select the best offspring
repeat for many generations
Examples
Animals:
cows that give more milk
chickens that lay more eggs
friendly dogs
fast horses
Plants:
bigger apples
sweeter mangoes
drought-resistant wheat
long-lasting tomatoes
Advantages
more food
better quality
healthier animals
stronger crops
faster growth
Disadvantages
less genetic variety
health issues
one disease can affect all
takes a long time
mental health
issues in animals: stress, anxiety, aggression, poor behaviour if only physical traits are selected
Physical Health in Selective Breeding
Selective breeding can affect an animal’s physical health because humans often focus only on desired features like more milk, bigger size, or faster growth, and sometimes ignore the animal’s overall health.
Examples of Physical Health Problems:
Cows bred for too much milk → weak bodies, joint problems
Chickens bred to grow fast → difficulty walking, heart problems
Dogs bred for flat faces (pugs, bulldogs) → breathing problems
Horses bred for speed → bone and muscle injuries
How to Protect Physical Health:
Breed animals for health as well as desired features
Give proper food, care, and space
Avoid extreme physical traits that harm the animal
Monitor for diseases and body problems
So, in selective breeding, humans must balance:
Desired features (traits we want)
Mental health (stress, behaviour)
Physical health (strength, body function)