Inbreeding is the mating of individuals who are closely related genetically, such as siblings or cousins. Inbreeding can result in the expression of deleterious traits or genetic disorders that are recessive in nature. This can lead to a decrease in genetic diversity within a population, making it more vulnerable to diseases, environmental changes, and other challenges. Inbreeding can also increase the likelihood of harmful alleles being passed on to offspring, potentially leading to reduced fitness and survival rates. Inbreeding is generally discouraged in animal breeding and conservation programs in order to maintain healthy populations with a diverse gene pool.
