Good example of artificial selection

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In summary, researchers have found evidence that ancient Americans were selectively breeding corn more than 4,000 years ago, leading to the enhancement of three key genetic variants that transformed the wild plant teosinte into the useful crop we know today. This serves as an example of how small changes in genetic codes can have a significant impact on a species. Further research has been done in recent years to better understand the process of corn domestication.
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http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/scienc...n.ap/index.html

Ancient Americans were changing corn genes through selective breeding more than 4,000 years ago…

…researchers found that three key genetic variants were systematically enhanced, probably through selective cultivation, over thousands of years.

…The ancestral plant of corn, teosinte…was a grassy-like plant with many stems bearing small cobs with kernels sheathed in hard shells. By cultivating plants with desirable characteristics, farmers caused teosinte to morph into an increasingly useful crop.

…"The differences between maize (corn) and teosinte come down to just a few genes, but with big effect,"

I think this provides a good example of how genetic codes can be altered to produce dramatic changes in a species. Much in the same way that cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts all were derived (evolved) from a single wild plant species or how all modern domesticated dog breeds were derived from wild wolves.
 
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Since the link in the OP was broken by the forum's automod, here's a currently working link to the story from 2003: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/modified-food-dates-to-ancients/

The news story likely refers to this 2003 paper in Science: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/302/5648/1206

In the intervening 16 years, more work has been done to study corn domestication, such as the following two papers:
Genomic estimation of complex traits reveals ancient maize adaptation to temperate North America
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/357/6350/512
Multiproxy evidence highlights a complex evolutionary legacy of maize in South America
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/362/6420/1309
 
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What is artificial selection?

Artificial selection, also known as selective breeding, is a process in which humans intentionally select and breed certain organisms to produce offspring with desirable traits.

What are some examples of artificial selection?

Some common examples of artificial selection include the domestication of dogs, breeding of livestock for specific traits such as size or milk production, and the development of different varieties of fruits and vegetables.

How does artificial selection differ from natural selection?

While natural selection is driven by environmental factors and survival of the fittest, artificial selection is driven by human intervention and the desire for specific traits. Natural selection can take place over a longer period of time, while artificial selection can produce rapid changes in a relatively short amount of time.

What are the potential benefits of artificial selection?

Artificial selection can lead to the development of new varieties of plants and animals with desirable traits, such as increased yield or disease resistance. It can also be used to preserve endangered species and improve the overall health and quality of domesticated animals.

What are the ethical considerations of artificial selection?

There are ethical concerns surrounding artificial selection, such as the potential for harm or suffering to the organisms involved. There is also the question of whether it is morally justifiable for humans to manipulate the genetic makeup of other species for our own benefit.

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