Take a look at these pictures. Isn't it amazing to know that all the different types of peppers, originally came from the capsicum annuum? Or that broccoli, cabbage and etc. all came from the same wild mustard plant? That my friends, is the magic of artificial selection. What exactly is it, you ask? Artificial selection is the process by which humans change the characteristics of animals/plants for artificial means. For example - Making cows that produce more milk, plants that are more disease-resistant, pigs that have more meat, and so on.
For the pictures above, we already see how artificial selection has affected plants. In our unit guide, we have also learned a few things about the artificial selection of dogs. Who knew that so many breeds of dogs were created by this process? I didn't. In one of the videos a woman proudly states that she created her perfect mutt and loves it dearly. She was able to choose the size, the shape, the colors, and probably so much more. This leads me to question: how far should humans be allowed to alter and select the traits of animals and plants? I'm aware of the fact that artificial selection brings us benefits. But what about the animals that are artificially enhanced that benefit us while they receive the "dull end of the stick"? Although one would argue that a cow having more milk, or a horse running even faster does no harm... does it really? I'm pretty sure that every time we alter something that is naturally made, there will always be side effects.
For example (although this has nothing to do with animals), when Heidi Montag (or anyone else for that matter) went through plastic surgery to perfect herself there were downfalls. She was in pain, she couldn't eat properly, and she received many bruises. Who's to say that consequences for perfection can't happen to animals either? In a few blogs I've read about the chicken being artificially enhanced to produce more meat but no feathers. No feathers on a chicken, make it prone to catching diseases quicker. Now, I'm not an animal activist or anything, but don't you think that's a bit unfair for the chicken? :( Poor thing, suffering from our gain. And remember, it may not only be chickens suffering from our greed!
I think this is where the fine line is, as to how far we should go. Personally, I think that artificial selection should only be done to the extent where both parties benefit. It should not continue if we're the only ones gaining from the process. Plus, if we continue to constantly inbreed these animals, certain genes that are passed down from natural selection will be lost forever - and there is no undo button. Just like our first bio blog, we should start being better stewards of the earth. And we can't do that, if we're constantly taking advantage of animals for personal gain. We should start accepting the naturality of things, afterall nature is beauty.
sources
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0118084/Gene/Genetic_variation/artificialselection.htm
http://www.biology-online.org/2/12_selective_breeding.htm
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IVAartselection.shtml
'ello Ana!
ReplyDeleteI think I've commented on pretty much all of your blogs! I'm not a creeper.. they're just all so well written! :)
anyways, I agree that it's hard to find the fine line between right and wrong in artificial selection. All the changes we make affect other parts of nature and scientists just never know when to stop. In solving our own problems with genetic modification, we are possibly creating even more complex problems in nature.
Hi Ana :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I've stated this before, but I really like the way your blogs are written!
One thing you wrote that really stood to me was "I'm pretty sure that every time we alter something that is naturally made, there will always be side effects." I agree with you 100% on that. I think humans really need to stop changing everything in nature. We need to learn to appreciate things for the way they naturally are.
I agree that artificial selection should not be done if it is only going to be benefiting us while at the same time hurting the animals or plants we are altering. This is extremely unfair.
Dear Ana Abad,
ReplyDeleteHI! Okay so, first things first; awesome blog. Second, I liked how you went back to previous bio blogs and used the topics as, I guess you can say, "justifying your answer". Third, I agree with you, on how we should only use artificial selection if both parties are benefited, because why would we want more meat from a chicken even if it's prone to disease and whatnot? Another thing, it's the life of a chicken! Isn't that a bit cruel? Oh and another thing, I found it funny how you related to Heidi Montag.
Hello there, Ana Abad.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I really, really, really enjoy reading your blog entries. They're so interesting and I love the ways to describe or compare things to each other. Alike to my blog entry on this topic "Artificial Selection", I found that our thoughts and ideas are very strongly alike because we both agree on the same terms.
Anyways, I just found it really shockingly interesting that you've found an article about the chicken situation. I mean, we're already slaughtering these animals to eat, do we really need to make these chickens featherless and more easily able to catch diseases? This is very unfair towards animals; I definitely strongly agree with Edward (comment above)that we, humans are definitely cruel..which technically don't really make us stewards, right?
Your blogs always inspire me to write and express how I feel about the topics. Mine are always very opinionated. Ahah.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, with that out of the way, I pretty much agree with everyone else who commented on this blog. The way we do things that only does more harm than good seems unstoppable. Many people around the world from generations to generations practiced this artificial selection and it stuck unto us. The way we bred dogs from wolves, and chickens to featherless creatures is amazing and awful at the same time. We're awestruck from our capability to do things that we thought were impossible.
Anyways, great blog!
Ana abad!
ReplyDeletegreat write up, really enjoyed going through your blog! Your right and I agree with your opinion on this topic one thing is for certain as artificial selection provides us with a a model to better under stand natural selection and its process. Personally being strongly against any methods of Artificial I believe that there should be a stop to this!
Greaat Job Abad! :)
Hey Ana! Great blog once again :)
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with this paragraph you wrote..
"I'm aware of the fact that artificial selection brings us benefits. But what about the animals that are artificially enhanced that benefit us while they receive the "dull end of the stick"? Although one would argue that a cow having more milk, or a horse running even faster does no harm... does it really? I'm pretty sure that every time we alter something that is naturally made, there will always be side effects."
People are so caught up in what altering these animals can bring them. Whether it be more money, trades and the like. Those people need to open their eyes and realize that it's having a negative impact on these animals.
Laugh out loud about the Heidi Montag comment. But its so true, not everything goes perfect. I don't want to be a model anyways. Because nature is beauty! Great blog :)
ReplyDelete