Final answer:
Genetic diversity in humans and other species is important for adaptation to changing environments, reducing the risks of inbreeding, and contributing to human welfare through the potential discovery of new pharmaceuticals. It serves as the raw material for evolution and continuous adaptation, with conservation efforts being essential to preserving it.
Step-by-step explanation:
An increase in genetic diversity is considered advantageous to humans and other species for several reasons. First, it is the foundation for a species' ability to adapt and evolve. Species with higher genetic diversity have more varied genotypes, which increases their chances of survival when environmental conditions change. This variability provides a vast pool of characteristics that can prove beneficial in different scenarios.
Secondly, a diverse genetic pool mitigates the risks associated with inbreeding, where deleterious recessive mutations can lead to various disorders and health problems. Preserving genetic variance is therefore crucial in breeding programs to uphold phenotypic diversity and maintain healthy populations.
Lastly, the diversity found within the genomes of different species is also significant for human welfare. This is because genetic diversity translates to chemical diversity, producing a wide array of chemicals in the cells of organisms. These chemicals, including proteins and metabolic byproducts, are potential sources of pharmaceuticals, as exemplified by the drug eptifibatide, which is derived from rattlesnake venom and used to prevent heart attacks.
The importance of genetic diversity highlights the need for conservation efforts focused on preserving biodiversity. Practices like internal fertilization and sexual reproduction, which promote genetic variations, are essential to increasing the survival rates of offspring and, hence, the resilience of a population.