Inbreeding: What It Is and Its Effects on a Population

Inbreeding is a mating practice that generally results in reduced genetic diversity among individuals, often due to the mating of relatives. It can happen naturally or be artificially induced by humans. In this article, we’ll discuss inbreeding, why it’s done and what the consequences are on a population.

What Is Inbreeding?

Inbreeding is the mating of two or more related individuals, such as siblings or cousins, with one another. This can happen naturally, or it can be induced by humans through the practice of artificial insemination. When two unrelated individuals reproduce, their offspring will have more genetic diversity than if two related individuals mate, which reduces the likelihood of positive genetic outcomes for the next generation. The more closely related the parents, the higher the probability that their offspring will suffer from inbreeding depression.

Effects of Inbreeding

Inbreeding can have catastrophic effects on a population by reducing its genetic diversity and leading to issues such as increased genetic diseases and infant mortality. It can also create an overabundance of genetic traits that are not desirable, including physical deformities and various mental defects. Inbreeding can also reduce a population’s ability to adapt and respond to changes in the environment, making it less able to survive.

When to Use Inbreeding

Inbreeding is often used in a controlled manner to ensure the production of certain desirable traits in a population. This is especially common in the practice of animal husbandry, or the raising and care of animals, such as livestock. Inbreeding is also used to preserve rare or endangered species of animals by creating lineages with more uniform physical features.

In conclusion, inbreeding is a practice of mating two or more related individuals that can cause significant genetic consequences for a population. Inbreeding is generally done in a controlled way to produce certain desirable traits in a species, though it can also be naturally occurring. Its effects can be detrimental, leading to an increase in genetic diseases, infant mortality and other physical and mental deformities. While it can have its benefits, especially in preserving rare species or animal husbandry, inbreeding should be considered a last resort due to the deleterious consequences it can have on a population.