Question

The Texel sheep is a breed of sheep that has gone through selective breeding for both food and wool production. The wool is of medium thickness without black fibers and commonly used in crafts. The sheep are bred for their large muscle size. The increase in muscle size has led to increased size in offspring.

How has this biotechnology harmed the Texel sheep?

Answer 1

loss of genetic diversity

Step-by-step explanation:

Artificial selection, also known as selective breeding, refers to the identification by humans of desirable phenotypic features (traits) in plants and animals and the subsequent breeding procedures to enhance and perpetuate these traits in offspring. As a consequence of artificial selection, future generations of selectively bred animals/plants will share favorable gene variants (alleles), thereby genetic diversity will decrease in the population. This reduction in the gene pool will affect genetic progress and consequently also breeding programs in the future.