Artificial Selection

​Gather and synthesize information about selective breeding and other forms of technology that have changed the way humans influence the inheritance of desired traits in organisms

When humans breed organisms for food or for companionship, they are selecting variations that occur naturally in populations.

​The selection and breeding of organisms with desired traits is selective breeding.

​Selective breeding, sometimes referred to as artificial selection, is similar to natural selection except that humans, instead of nature, do the selecting.

​By breeding organisms with desired traits, humans change traits just as natural selection does.

Examples: ​Cows with increased levels of milk production, dogs of different sizes, and roses of unique colors are products of selective breeding.

​Apples have been selectively bred for many years. Some varieties are sweeter than others while some are bigger and more resistant to disease.

​Remember that chromosomes are made of DNA and are in the nucleus of a cell.

​Sections of DNA in chromosomes that direct activities are called genes.

​Scientists are experimenting with genetic engineering, the biological and chemical methods that change the arrangement of DNA that makes up a gene.

​Genetic engineering already is used to help produce medicine.

​Genes also can be inserted into cells to change how those cells perform their normal functions.

​Genetic engineering can produce improvements in crop plants such as corn, wheat and rice.

​Genetic engineered organisms are responsible for creating insulin.

​What is insulin?

​Insulin regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat and skeletal muscle cells.

​Many people worry about possible health risks from the consumption of genetically modified crops.

​Because some people might prefer foods that are not changed genetically, some stores label GMO items.

​However, the Scientific consensus is that GMOs are safe.

​Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) regulates the safety of food for humans and animals, including foods produced from genetically engineered plants.