How do traditional breeding and genetic modification differ?

Traditional breeding and genetic modification are fundamentally different in their approaches to improving plant or animal traits. Traditional breeding involves selecting organisms with desirable traits and breeding them over successive generations to enhance those traits. This process relies on natural genetic variation and can take a long time, as it involves the mixing of entire genomes through sexual reproduction.

On the other hand, genetic modification involves directly altering the DNA of an organism to achieve desired traits. This can include inserting, deleting, or changing specific genes in a more precise and faster manner than traditional methods allow. This technique enables the transfer of traits across species that would not interbreed naturally.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the core distinction: traditional breeding focuses on selecting naturally occurring traits from within the species, while genetic modification encompasses direct alterations to the genetic material, enabling specific and tailored improvements.