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7.4 discuss a use of cloning in animals or plants that has possible benefits to humans
discuss a use of cloning in animals or plants that has possible benefits to humans
- Cloning of animals for agricultural purposes is a genetic refinement of selective breeding. By cloning, the results are identical to the donor cell, whereas in selective breeding the resultant offspring may contain some unwanted genes as well as the desirable ones. The time involved in producing these desirable cloned populations is far less than that involved in selective breeding.
- The advantages are similar to those of selective breeding where large numbers of plants or animals could be bred for such factors as more meat, more milk, finer wool, higher crop yield and resistance to disease.
- A disadvantages to all members of a population being genetically identical would be non-resistance to a new strain of disease or changes in environmental conditions, could decimate the whole population as there is no diversity within the population.