In practice, in the past at least, you are correct breeding is a process that relies on the variation that sexual reproduction introduces. However in our modern reality much of what is now being "bred" are GMOs and in these cases the breeding is selecting the best outcomes. Breeding is repeatedly selecting the "fittest" or most desirable individuals out of a larger population based on evaluating the phenotypes for the presence of desirable traits. While, I suppose, in principal, individual organisms could have their individual DNA sequenced and then analyzed and selection could in principal be based on this process -- in practice it has been based on observations of variation across phenotypes. Whether the phenotype being selected for results from certain combinations of genes (arrived at by sexual reproduction), epigenetic changes that induce the phenotype to change based on epigenetic changes in what DNA is getting expressed, or even induced mutations -- when foreign DNA is introduced for example form one species into another -- the process of breeding itself -- at least in its logical goals and method does not really change. When Monsanto is breeding Roundup ready corn for example, it most certainly is not just re-arranging the existing genetic heritage of corn through the process of sexual reproduction selecting for desired traits -- already inherent in the corn plants genetic makeup. Certainly, you are correct that this is the classic meaning of the term, but especially since the discovery that certain viral vectors can be used, in a shotgun-like scattershot approach to insert (e.g. blast) foreign DNA into an organism's own DNA and then through a process of breeding the desired introduced traits can be selected for the meaning of what is meant by breeding has come due for an update. -Chris D
________________________________ From: meekerdb <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 12:21 PM Subject: Re: Serious proof of why the theory of evolution is wrong On 8/13/2013 11:45 AM, Chris de Morsella wrote: I don't question that breeding can induce hereditary changes in a population, but rather am wondering about what mechanisms are used to do so. I don't think "induced" is the right word. It isn't *inducing changes* in the DNA, it's *selecting* certain combinations of genes. Brent -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
