Wellness

[LilacTree]

Which population might be least likely to be devastated by a new disease outbreak?

1. A) a small population made up of the offspring of healthy, related parents
2. B) a large, genetically diverse population
3. C) a small, genetically uniform population
4. D) a large, genetically uniform population

Best Answer:  The answer is B a large genetically diverse population. This is because the more people the less chance of everyone contracting a new disease. Also, by being genetically diverse there are chances that some could be resistant to the disease or immune due to natural selection.

A large, genetically diverse population would be the least vulnerable. A genetically uniform population would share a lot of vulnerabilities, so a disease outbreak would decimate them, and related parents would produce offspring with similar genetic profiles.

[SilleeMee]

That's why purebred animals tend to get sick more often than mutts. 

[x Hedge]

I think I learned this from the 'mad scientists' in sci-fi/fantasy when I was 10.
Same principle applies to vulnerabilities in raising flocks, heards, and crops.

[Goldengate8361]

Sounds like a great endorsement of our country’s honored tradition of being a big, embracing “melting pot” for the world. 😀

[SeaMaiden]

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@SilleeMee wrote:

That's why purebred animals tend to get sick more often than mutts. 

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@SilleeMee  you are so right.  Many more cancers etc with pure lines in animals and people... look at Royalty from History and all the inbreeding... leading to bloood diseases etc.