A simple method for increasing the response to artificial selection

Abstract

SUMMARY Selection theory usually assumes an equally probable contribution of each selected individual to a large ‘gene pool’ from which the individuals to be measured in the next generation are sampled. With unequal contributions it is possible to find several sets of values for N (the number of selected individuals) and f i (probability of contribution of the i th individual) such that the same selection intensity is attained. It is suggested that the set of values producing minimum genetic drift should be chosen in order to increase the long-term response without any reduction in the short-term advance.