Question

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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.