What is the process of selecting individuals with desirable traits for breeding called?

The process of selecting individuals with desirable traits for breeding is known as artificial selection. This technique is utilized in agriculture and animal husbandry to enhance specific qualities, such as size, yield, disease resistance, or temperament. By intentionally choosing which individuals reproduce based on specific traits, humans can significantly influence the genetic characteristics of future generations.

Artificial selection differs from natural selection, where environmental factors determine which individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce. Instead, artificial selection is a controlled process carried out by humans to achieve particular outcomes. It plays a crucial role in the development of various plant and animal breeds that exhibit desirable traits. This method has been responsible for the varied breeds of dogs, crops like corn and wheat, and livestock varieties that we rely on today.

Genetic engineering, on the other hand, involves directly altering an organism's DNA to achieve desired traits, while mutation refers to spontaneous changes in the genetic material that may occur naturally without human intervention.