Well, before we jump to conclusions and judgments, we should first study and understand the term Artificial Selection. It is the Human intervention in animal or plant reproduction to ensure that certain desirable traits are represented in successive also known as Selective breeding.
So, the issue here is do humans have the right to do this in the first place? Let's observe, take in our ever growing hunger for meat products. For farmers, in order for them to make some income, they need to satisfy their consumer's demand for such products, and in this case, meat. But how are they to do so when in some cases, these chickens don't produce as much as we'd like them to? That's when artificial selection comes in! This specif process is used to help sustain the overall existence of animals to make them stronger as well cause them to produce the needed products that society demands.A great example is the selective breeding of cows, the cow above has gone through selective breeding and as a result has more muscle than a regular cow, and for us- more lean meat!
There's one thing about satisfying consumer demands, but there's another pushing the limits. There have been recent reports of the inhumane ways of artificial selection. For example, because meat is such a great demand they have enhanced chickens to be more convenient by adding more meat and no feathers. This change in features of the chicken can result to more harm than good for the animal because they are prone to more diseases and parasites without their feathers as well as mate unsuccessfully because of the disabled wing.If we take both factors in consideration, we can conclude that artificial selection is a process that can really affect the breeder and the organism being bred. I think that artificial selection has done us all good, but the food and farming industries should be more wary about the treatment of the animals and plants under this process. If used with consideration, I think that this process is a win-win situation for both humans and the species involved. It satisfies the need of society of and at the end of the day, it positively effects both the peoples and the animals involved in the process- when used moderately. Though we may have the power to do this, I still believe that we shouldn't take advantage of it by completely disregarding the well-being of the animals and plants that undergo the process.
References:
http://www.biology-online.org/2/12_selective_breeding.htm
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Selective_breeding
http://scienceray.com/biology/selective-breeding/
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0118084/Gene/Genetic_variation/artificialselection.htm
Commented on:
Tammy Nguyen - http://tammy-bioblogtingz.blogspot.com/
Aarany R - http://bio-aarany.blogspot.com/
Angela! :D
ReplyDeleteI loved the title of your blog. It was very unique and I was really interested to what you would write about this topic. You kept your blog short and sweet, while keeping in mind the pros and cons of artificial selection. The pictures that you posted up really made me realize what our world has come to, in terms of how we treat our animals. An over sized cow, and a chicken without feathers is just hard to believe. Some people in our world are too greedy in terms of producing. They want things to be convenient just for themselves. That is just being selfish. But then when you think about these farmers are doing this for a living and as consumers we buy them, so technically we are all to blame. Indeed if we used this with consideration, it would be a win-win situation and it should positively effect both the people and the animals. Overall, great job on your blog. Keep it up! :D
Hey Angela! I agree with Jarvis in that your title was funny (since I can imagine you saying it) and was a nice way to start off this post. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked your last paragraph especially because you mention that cooperation between humans and animals would result in a win-win situation. That is very true! It seems like it is always win-lose with us, as in humans are always gaining something while ecosystems/plants/animals are damaged, which I think is so sad..
We are constantly taking advantage of the power we have over all other animals that we tend to forget the consequences that can come from our actions. What a sad sad world we live in!
Oh hello there Angela! :)
ReplyDeleteI happened to stumble upon your blog and I had no idea that we've come to the point where we've created chickens with more meat and no feathers! The thought of that makes me feel so sad for the poor chickens! I mean, sure it's an advantage for us - due to the fact that they produce more meat for our bellys to eat, but is it really worth it? Is it fair for the chicken to be made like that? Personally I don't think so, because we're only setting the chicken to catch diseaes more quickly, and the fact that you mentioned it would have trouble to mate saddens me even more. The chicken deserves to have a family! :(
I agree with your statement about us taking this artificial selection process in a more moderate manner. IF we are going to create species artificially, we should atleast make it, so that both sides of the party are b enefited. I believe that if we get in way too over our heads, we're going to pay the consequences in the long run.
Anyway, great post bffl! ;D
Hi Angela!
ReplyDeleteIn your blog, I'm not exactly sure what your position is when it comes to artificial selection. Are you for or against artificial selection? If you can make your position more clear in your next blog post, that would be great. I wouldn't say that this was a win-win situation exactly. The animals getting artificially selected may experience side effects. I found the part about the chickens having less feathers and more meat to be very informative but the picture is a little disturbing. Anyways, awesome blog! Keep up the good work! :)
Hey Angela,
ReplyDeleteI loved your blog, I think it was very creative and informative. I really liked your title and how the image of the cows went together. But your picture of the chickens were kind of saddening. It goes to show how far we humans have come with technology, and how all technology is made to suit our needs. I think we need to stop and think of what we are doing to the poor animals like the chicken in your blog. Like you said in your blog, the animals face many disadvantages because of this technology, and I dont think it's fair to them. We are selfish little pigs! Great blog Angela! :)
Hey Angela! So reading your blog was slightly confusing, but at the end of it, I understood where you came from. I guess I can say that I partially agree with your statements. I think that it's great that we get our fill and what we want from the poor animals that we artificially select, but morally - I don't think it's just. I don't think that we as humans need fatter chickens or cows to get a healthy fill of food, because wouldn't a regular chicken or cow do just fine on its own? We humans are such a greedy species and should just leave the poor chickens and cows alone. Like, I like chicken, and I like beef, but I just don't think it's really necessary to have more meat on their bones.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, despite our crossed thoughts about this topic, I enjoyed reading your blog; the title caught my eye. :)
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ReplyDeleteThanks Angela for the informative information, aha. It was really good, and that muscle filled cow is very... muscular aha. Very interesting. I believe that if we use artificial selectiong PROPERLY and don't go too far (like that poor featherless chicken) then it would be a win-win situation! thanks again!
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