What are the current problems/concerns associated with selective breeding? No. 1
Humans have been selectively breeding chickens to lay lots of eggs and have lots of meat/muscle. The problem that occurs is the chickens used for meat have such large muscles on their chest that it weighs them down. Because they are so heavy, they struggle to move around or even stand up. They end up collapsed on the ground and are prone to developing sores or wounds on their skin. Farmers feed them antibiotics on a daily basis to support their weak immune system. What is even more worrying about this is how they can easily get open sores, which are a gateway for diseases. When these chickens are slaughtered and prepared for consumption, these diseases have a chance of passing through into the meat that we consume. Most contaminants are killed off when the meat is cooked, but the small amount left over can be hazardous to human health.
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What solutions have been attempted?
There has been a plan put in place by some organisations, to selectively breed the smaller, more stable chickens to bring them back down to a healthy size again. This would reduce the weight and size of the chickens, giving them a more comfortable lifestyle, where they can move comfortably. This would also mean that there are less opportunities for them to get diseases and then pass them on to humans, when we consume the chicken.
This image shows a plan that has been created to help fix the size of chickens https://lh5.ggpht.com/SuoFqSVdOqPypBy4gr1SraeKosyXiL76r0nLF5p_IENNAfHdXaNQIlbXeQXk-HS8X_KlcSc=s153
How effective are these solutions?
This is highly effective as it is beneficial to both chickens and humans. Because chickens then live in more comfort and are happier, which keeps them healthier and then leads on to humans having better meat, which is un-diseased and clean for our consumption.
What are the current problems/concerns associated with selective breeding? No. 2
One of the most known problems with selective breeding occurs in pug dogs. Due to many generations of selective breeding, pugs are very prone to illness and health conditions. They have many issues with their eyes which have been inherited from ancestors. They have problems with their snout as their nose is so pushed in that it causes irritation, infection, and breathing problems. Pugs also have several problems with their back and legs, which are also caused by genetic traits.
These pictures both show a pug who has health conditions, causing their eyes to turn out. This also shows how they have lots of wrinkles on their face that could cause discomfort and breathing problems. (First Picture) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aBN-Xwi-izo/UxI84FUH4-I/AAAAAAAABY8/7cuTR6OiFP8/s1600/Pug_portrait.jpg (Second Picture) http://d75822.medialib.glogster.com/szayle/media/15/153dafa1663a8dca8f739894a5401ed657cc4d5f/pug-puppy.jpg
What solutions have been attempted?
A solution would simply be not breeding the pugs with these problems. Breeders could only use the healthiest dogs, with the least wrinkled snouts, and who’s parents were healthy too so there is less chance of passing on undesirable genes.
How effective are these solutions?
This is quite effective as if you avoid breeding dogs with sickness, injuries or health conditions, then you reduce the chance of the puppies having these problems. The only reasons that it isn't completely effective is it is very difficult to find pugs that are 100% healthy and problem free. Potential parents that appear healthy could have health problems that haven’t arisen yet that could still be passed on. Secondly, due to the low amount of ‘perfect’ pugs, there will be a strong decrease in the amount of puppies, as only some will be able to breed.
These pictures are all of young pug dogs that could be used for breeding towards healthier pugs.
http://dogbreedslist1.tk/wp-content/uploads/pug-1.jpg (first picture)
http://aprilpug.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pug-puppies.jpg (second picture)
http://justcuteanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cute-animals-baby-pug-dog-puppy-pics.jpg (Third picture)
http://dogbreedslist1.tk/wp-content/uploads/pug-1.jpg (first picture)
http://aprilpug.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/pug-puppies.jpg (second picture)
http://justcuteanimals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cute-animals-baby-pug-dog-puppy-pics.jpg (Third picture)