Artificial Selection

Artificial Selection Within Plant Production Artificial selection could be considered the most beneficial contribution to the improvement of human life on planet earth. In fact a large majority of the organisms we interact with daily are a result of artificial selection. Every common house dog actually fall back on their ancestor, the wolf (Artificial 2006). A large quantity of the foods we consume are actually the offspring of grasses and other unlikely organisms. Artificial selection, or selective breeding, is the breeding of different organisms to purposely gain specific beneficial traits of each organism within as few as one generation of offspring (artificial-selection). This idea of selective breeding was cultivated long before it was

In today 's world of ever advancing technology, it is becoming easier, cheaper, and faster to experiment with gene splicing and altering complex gene strands. The result of all this? Crops can be grown in environments with weak nutritional values, harsh weather conditions, and even where parasites are out of control. The time it takes for a crop to grow is shortened as well as the time a crop may produce is often extended. Not only are crops improved but plants used for medical purposes as well as plants used for their beauty. Gene splicing allows scientists to take traits from the most unlikely organisms and include them in the DNA of common plants to find new and desirable benefits (University of

Although the list of advantages for selective breeding is boundless, there are a long list of disadvantages. With mutations comes the risk of new diseases as well as other health affects. Some health affects may skip the plant and affect those around it such as humans or other organisms that consume the plant. Genetically altering a plant can lead to shorter life spans as well as the ruining of the fruits made by the plant. A less extreme but still unsatisfying loss could be a poor tasting crop or one that may decay much faster. The most alarming facts are the affects genetically alterations in plants have on humans. Since 1995 pesticides and herbicides have been genetically added to crops such as corn. Although this is an advantage as it kills pests it can make people sick. A gene called Bt-toxin, found in corn, has been found to cause reactions in humans. Some symptoms include allergies and flu like symptoms, and more severe complications may be soon noted. Based on animal tests, conditions such as cancer, lung diseases, organ dysfunction, as well as infertility have been observed. Research has shown that toxins are transferred into humans quite easily, leaving the idea of links to cancer and other diseases a likely prediction (Collins). As of right now there is no laws requiring the labeling of GMO 's, or genetically modified organisms. However, there is constant debate on the safety and rights of the