One evidence of evolution is the process of selection, most specifically artificial selection. According to Allan Tobin and Jennie Dushek, (2005), in their book, ‘Asking about Life’, Artificial Evolution is a process wherein breeding is done intentionally to capture a desirable trait. It is a term described by Charles Darwin to be the contrast of his famous ‘Natural Selection’ which is attributed to the natural differential reproduction that results to the improvement of attributes or traits of the organism, such process, according to Darwin is necessary for the survival of the species. In this end, Artificial Selection is usually done with the intentional manipulation of human beings for propagation and/or breeding of organisms in accordance to the traits that humans deemed beneficial and useful.
The Artificial Selection which is prominent in farming and laboratories, prove helpful in creating organisms that are more beneficial than their previous forms. Through the help of Artificial Selection, plants, such as rice, now have a variety of breeds that can grow in humid areas, wet areas and dry areas any time of the year. The idea behind Artificial Selection is the fact that organisms in the same family generates certain resemblances or attributes from their parent/s (Smith and Dawkins, 1993). Thus, farmers, long before Darwin breeds crops and livestock through selecting the most desirable parent/s and reproducing or propagating them.
Artificial Selection, is thus, usually credited to be artificial evidence that proves the existence of evolution. Changes in the organisms can be manipulated and made through the means of ‘artificial selection’ which is by means of human handling. Darwin believes that since changes can be made to organisms through the means of breeding or intentional manipulation, the same process applies and happens to nature (Arora, 2004), a process that results to evolution.
Nonetheless, as discussed above, although changes occur through breeding, the results of artificial and natural selection differ. The difference lies mainly on the selection process. Natural Selection ‘selects’ the strongest and the fittest organism that can survive in the natural habitat. Artificial Selection, on the other hand is human selection of often domesticated organisms that has ‘traits which are useful to man or conform with his fancy or to the style’ (Arora, 2004).
Accordingly, the organisms that win or survive through artificial selection are not the same organisms that may possibly survive in the Natural Selection, simply because they lack the surviving skills necessary for continued existence. Nevertheless, this process still provides the picture that changes may occur in a certain organism through Nature or human intervention.
It serves as evidence to the evolution process because it proves that different species may come or evolve from a single species. Although the genetic make up are not changed radically, through time other species may come, evolve or result from the current set of species.
Artificial Selection, which is man made or customized selection of organisms to produce a more excellent, profitable, reliable, economical, helpful, fancy and/or appropriate breed of organism, catered to human needs. It provides a glimpse on what actually take place in Natural Selection, with fitness and being the strongest as the primary criteria for the selection process. It provides an evidence that indeed changes takes place on organisms.
References:
Arora, R. (2004). Encyclopaedia of Evolutionary Biology. Anmol Publications PVT. LTDP. 149-151.
Smith, J.M. and Dawkins, R. (1993). The Theory of Evolution. Cambridge University Press. p. 149-150.
Tobin, A.J. and Dushek, J. (2005). Asking about Life. Thomson Brooks/Cole.P. 323.
