Embryo Transplantation
Embryo transplantation produces genetically identical
offspring and is done via transplanting embryos to
numerous hosts. It is quite a common process.
The steps of embryo transplantation:
1. Fertilisation – sperm is taken from one animal, an egg is
taken from another. Artificial Insemination
2. Artificial Insemination – an animal is then artificially
inseminated.
3. Development of Embryos – the zygotes are allowed to
develop into embryos.
4. Removal of Embryos – embryos are then removed from
the uterus of the inseminated animal.
5. Splitting of Embryos – these embryos are split apart to
form smaller cells. This process must take place before
specialisation (when cells develop into different types
of cells).
6. Transplant into Host Mothers – you then transplant all
of these embryos into host mothers. These embryos
will all be genetically identical to one another and so
will be clones.
Natural Selection vs Artificial Selection
Positives and Negatives of Selective Breeding
Benefits Drawbacks
[Link] benefit – if a farmer can grow the crops with [Link] for rare diseases – some of the more selected for
the largest fruits and the animals with the greatest yield of organisms have unexpected disadvantages. Through
meat, they will get the most money. This aids the economy selective breeding, these disadvantages like diseases or
as their products will be of a greater quality and thus the deformities may accidentally be selected for. This is
consumer will also be happier. dangerous and can arise setbacks.
2. Domesticating animals – you can select for more docile [Link] genetic variation – by selecting for specific
household pets or animals that are safer to farm with. alleles, the genetic variation in a population decreases. This
can reduce defences of the animals and plants against
3. Prevent disease – you can prevent spread of disease disease and insect attacks. This can be catastrophic for the
amongst crops by using selective breeding to develop crops species selected for and can completely wipe out the whole
resistant to disease spread by pests. population.
[Link] Issues – if organisms are purposefully bred with
negative, harmful characteristics for research or other
reasons, it raises ethical issues.
(may also involve inbreeding - If you breed lots of organisms of the same family,
there can be a build up of recessive alleles, which increases the risk of disease)