Breeders avoid inbreeding because it can lead to fatal mutations, decreases genetic diversity by preventing gene flow, and can reduce the occurrence of desired genetic traits. Inbreeding is not associated with diversifying selection, which increases genetic diversity.
- A breeder would not allow close relatives to mate for several crucial reasons related to genetic diversity and overall population health.
- First, inbreeding increases the likelihood of fatal mutations in offspring.
- This is because relatives tend to share more genes in common, including potentially harmful recessive alleles that can express under inbreeding circumstances, leading to genetic disorders.
- Secondly, inbreeding prevents gene flow, which is the transfer of genetic material from one population to another.
- Gene flow brings new, potentially beneficial genes into a population, which can enhance health and evolutionary fitness.
- Lastly, inbreeding does not cause diversifying selection, which is the process where extreme values for a trait are favored over intermediate values, thus increasing genetic and phenotypic variance in the population.
- Instead, inbreeding may lead to an increased incidence of homozygosity, possibly diminishing the genetic variety that a breeder might desire to maintain within a population.
- The statement about prohibition of collective farm trade is unrelated to the concept of breeding and inbreeding.