What is the Difference Between Selective Breeding and Genetic Engineering?

05/15/2025 • Maryella Faratro

Selective breeding and genetic engineering are both methods used to alter an organism's genetics, but they are different processes:

Selective breeding:

Makes use of existing, naturally present gene variants in a species and the natural process of breeding.
Involves crossbreeding organisms with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits.
Is also known as artificial selection and is driven by human intervention.
Has less predictable outcomes compared to genetic engineering.
Is limited by the life cycle of the plant and the genetic variants that are naturally present.

Genetic engineering:

Involves a direct change to an organism's genome in the laboratory.
Allows for the modification of a single gene, providing more precision than selective breeding.
Can introduce a gene between two distantly-related species, such as inserting a bacterial gene into a plant.
Works primarily through the insertion of genetic material, followed by selection.

In summary, selective breeding is a more traditional method that takes advantage of existing genetic variation within a species, while genetic engineering involves direct manipulation of an organism's genome, allowing for more precise and potentially unnatural modifications.

Comparative Table: Selective Breeding vs Genetic Engineering

The main differences between selective breeding and genetic engineering are as follows:

Selective Breeding	Genetic Engineering
Involves mating individuals with desired traits to produce offspring with the desired traits.	Directly alters an organism's DNA to produce the desired traits more rapidly than selective breeding.
Relies on existing genetic variation within a species.	Introduction of genes from other species or even synthesized in the lab, broadening the possible traits that can be added to organisms.
Natural breeding takes place.	Artificial breeding takes place.
More unpredictable impact on a species' genetics.	More precise, as biologists can introduce a specific gene between two distantly-related species.
Limited to the traits present within the species or closely related species.	Not limited by existing genetic variation within a species, allowing for the introduction of novel traits.
Developed through human intervention over thousands of years, creating the majority of crop species.	A relatively newer technique, developed in the 20th century.