Are miniature cows genetically modified? 

Miniature cows are not typically genetically modified. Instead, they are selectively bred to be smaller in size compared to their full-sized counterparts. This selective breeding process involves choosing cows with naturally occurring genetic traits that result in smaller stature and then breeding them to pass on those traits to their offspring. Over generations, breeders can establish a line of miniature cows with consistently smaller sizes.

There are various miniature cattle breeds, and some of the more well-known ones include:

1. Miniature Hereford: These cows are a smaller version of the traditional Hereford cattle breed.
2. Miniature Angus: They are smaller than regular Angus cattle but share the same coloration and characteristics.
3. Miniature Jersey: These cows are bred to be smaller versions of the Jersey cattle breed, known for their high-quality milk production.
4. Miniature Zebu: Zebu cattle, originally from India, are naturally smaller, and breeders have developed miniature versions of these cattle.

It's important to note that selective breeding for size reduction does not involve genetic modification in the sense of altering genes through artificial means, such as genetic engineering or gene editing. Instead, it relies on traditional breeding techniques to achieve the desired size characteristics within a particular breed.

Selective breeding for miniature cattle is primarily done for various practical reasons, such as reducing the space and resources required to raise cattle, making them more suitable for small farms or as pets, or for specialty uses like therapy animals.