HFA303 Biological Consequences of Selection in Animal Breeding

The student will be able to evaluate and ethical consequences of selection, and to analyse ethical and animal welfare problems concerning livestock breeding. The student will learn to describe and analyse the animal as a self-regulating biological system with developmental and coping strategies developed through natural evolution and subsequent adaptation to a production environment.

Students will be familiar with examples of how domestic animal breeding have resulted in partial disruption of this biological system, and consequences of this including on animal welfare. Students will be able to analyse these examples and reflect on how different domestic animal breeds and species can be compared.

The students will understand the following concepts will be explained: fitness, resource allocation, maternal effects, epigenetics, development strategies etc. The most important traits and general trends in domestic breeding will be understood. Students will understand how to compare breeds and species of livestock. The student must have insight in ethical and biological aspects of breeding and be able to contribute in discussions in this field.