why is genetic diversity important?

Question

i know why, and it's because if everyone had the same genes, a single virus could wipe us all out. but i need someone else to say it so i can formaty it as a citation for a paper.... some other reasons would be good as well

Answer 1

Genetic diversity is the only way evolution can happen. Some little difference must be the answer to a problem the environment throws at a species.

Since you need citable sources: try the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (genetic diversity in forests) http://www.fao.org/news/2002/020202-e.htm

a university site on genetic diversity in livestock
http://jas.fass.org/cgi/reprint/77/1/61.pdf

another university source on the importance of biological diversity http://www.richmond.edu/~cstevens/ES201/local/The%20Importance%20of%20Biodiversity.pdf