Fill in the blank
Inbreeding as a rule increases _____

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Inbreeding**: Inbreeding refers to the mating of individuals from the same breed or genetic lineage. This practice is often used to maintain or enhance specific desirable traits within a population.

2. **Identifying the Characteristics of a Breed**: A breed is defined as a group of animals that are related by descent and share similar characteristics, such as appearance, size, and features.

3. **Effects of Inbreeding**: When inbreeding occurs, it tends to increase the genetic similarity among the individuals. This means that the offspring produced from inbreeding are more likely to inherit similar genetic traits from both parents.

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