Genetic selection in pig production has historically prioritized production traits at the expense of welfare, but emerging genomic tools enable selection for welfare-relevant traits simultaneously.
Genetic selection creates the biological baseline that management must then support or override. Pigs selected for extreme litter size are often physically incapable of nursing all piglets without welfare compromise. Pigs selected for extreme muscle development may have cardiovascular and locomotor problems. Welfare-inclusive breeding programs that incorporate robustness, longevity, and behavioral traits alongside production metrics can shift the baseline toward animals that thrive rather than merely survive.