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Explain the difference between selective breeding and genetic engineering in the development of food crops with desirable traits.

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Selective breeding is the traditional method for improving crops and livestock, such as increasing disease resistance or milk yield.

Genetic engineering is a faster way, which transplants genes for a desired characteristic into an organism. However, genetic engineering offers many potential benefits but carries the risk of unexpected harmful effects.

User Xinus
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Selective breeding uses natural biological means to alter genetics--example is using a pollen from one strain to fertilize another strain and so "cross" the gene pools.

Genetic engineering artificially goes into the chromosomes to edit them--an unnatural process. Example--a cold water fish gene is put into a crop so that it won't freeze in the winter. This would not naturally occur.
User Dhia Djobbi
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