What is a benefit of using genetic engineering to improve a plant species instead of traditional selective breeding?

Using genetic engineering to improve a plant species offers several key advantages over traditional selective breeding methods, particularly in its ability to precisely manipulate the genetic makeup of plants. One significant benefit is that genetic engineering can target specific genes or traits without the need for crossbreeding various plant varieties. This precision allows for the direct introduction of desirable traits into a plant's genome without the accompanying genetic material from unrelated species that often comes with traditional methods.

For instance, if a specific trait, such as pest resistance, is identified in another species, genetic engineering can directly incorporate the gene responsible for that trait into the target plant. This targeted approach minimizes the risk of unintended traits being introduced, which can occur during crossbreeding, where a wild array of genes from both parent plants comes together, leading to unpredictable results.

While traditional breeding methods can take many generations to develop a new cultivar with the desired traits, genetic engineering streamlines this process, allowing for faster development and implementation of specific traits. However, the answer indicates that genetic engineering eliminates the need for crossbreeding, which is particularly significant in creating plants with traits that may not be easily introduced through conventional breeding due to genetic compatibility issues.

Overall, the precision and efficiency of genetic engineering make it a powerful tool in