In his book On the Origin of Species (1859), Charles Darwin wrote about the high degree of variation among domesticated plants and animals, their differences from wild ancestors. His view (controversial among contemporaries) was that humans created such vastly different breeds through selective breeding of individuals who had preferred characteristics. Darwin's doctrine of artificial and natural selection helped him develop the theory of evolution. “If humans could create this degree of variation in species in just a few hundred generations, then nature, acting over a much longer time frame, could have produced such a diverse range of life forms that inhabit the Earth today,” Charles Darwin reasoned.
Different from natural selection
To describe Darwin's doctrine of artificial selection briefly, it is the crossing of two separate individuals within the same species. This is the main difference from natural selection, where any changes in species depend on external natural factors. Charles Darwin's doctrine of artificial selection implies that the selection process is notrandom, it is completely controlled by the needs of the people. Domestic and wild animals that are currently outside their natural habitat are constantly subjected to selection by people. The purpose of this is to obtain the ideal pet in appearance, behavior and other traits.
Darwin and the finches
Charles Darwin's doctrine of artificial selection is nothing new. With these studies, he reinforced his idea of natural selection. Then Darwin continued to work on the theory of evolution. In 1831 he went on a long-term expedition to South America. Remarkably, she nearly broke down. The captain of the ship was fully convinced that the shape of Darwin's nose indicated laziness. The captain of the vessel refused to take the researcher with him on the expedition.
The most valuable research Charles Darwin conducted on the Galapagos Islands. The scientist observed the birds and noticed that in different parts of the islands finches differ from each other in the size and shape of the beak. The isolation of birds on the islands for a long time led to a change in species to the point that it then became difficult to guess their common ancestor. They adapted according to the predominant type of food that they constantly ate. Some time later, the teachings of Charles Darwin on artificial selection completely refuted the then popular thoughts of Jean Baptiste Lamarck that all kinds of living beings appeared spontaneously, simply out of nothing.
Basic Scientist Research
Charles Darwin's task was tois to check whether he can reproduce the changes that occurred with the birds on the Galapagos Islands, in artificial (laboratory) conditions. Returning to England after the expedition, the scientist bred birds to conduct research. Darwin, over several generations, was able to create offspring with the desired qualities by crossing parents who possessed precisely these traits. Artificial selection included color, beak shape and length, size, and many other qualities. The scientist did a tremendous job of collecting, systematizing and analyzing the information he received during the expedition to South America and the Galapagos Islands. This research marked the beginning of Charles Darwin's teachings on artificial selection. After more than 20 years of work, his famous book "On the Origin of Species" was published, which became a breakthrough and completely changed the ideas of that time about the appearance of a huge variety of living creatures on Earth.
Practical commercial applications
Animal breeding is indeed a very profitable business. Today they are making a lot of money. Many owners and trainers will be willing to pay for a horse with a pedigree and a certain set of qualities. Champion horses after retirement are often used to produce winning offspring in the next generation. Muscles, strength, endurance, size and even bone structure - all these traits are passed on to children from their parents. If you find two horses with the necessary qualities for a champion horse, that is, a largethe chance that their offspring will have the characteristics desired by owners and trainers.
Where and why is it used
A popular way to apply Darwin's teachings of artificial selection among animals is the breeding of dogs. As with horse breeding, they have special traits that are preferred in competitions and shows of different breeds. The judges evaluate the color and patterns on the coat, the manner of holding and even the teeth of the animals. Although dog behavior is trainable, there is evidence that some behavioral traits are passed on genetically.
Even if some breeds of dogs are not suitable for participation in the exhibition, they become popular pets. The most popular are new hybrids, for example, pugl - a cross between a pug and a beagle. People who prefer new breeds of animals enjoy their original appearance and uniqueness. Breeders choose to breed animals that have certain traits that they believe will be most favorable for offspring.
A way to learn more about genes and heredity
Darwin's doctrine of artificial selection has been used for numerous studies. Laboratories are using mice or rats to perform tests that cannot yet be done on humans. Some research involves breeding mice to obtain a gene or trait that needs to be studied. Sometimeslabs are looking to get an individual that is missing a certain gene and see what happens to the offspring.
Darwin's doctrine of artificial selection implies that any animals and plants correspond to it. Selection in animals is an opportunity to preserve an endangered species, to create an improved or completely new kind of living creatures. It is possible that the desired traits will never occur, but thanks to Darwin's teachings on natural and artificial selection, this becomes achievable.
