Hyla rabbits, also known as "Hyplus" rabbits

Hyla rabbits, also known as "Hyplus" rabbits, are indeed a breed that has been developed through selective breeding for certain desirable traits, such as fast growth and reaching a marketable size more quickly than other rabbit breeds.

This breed is a hybrid of the New Zealand White and the California White rabbits. The main purpose of creating such a breed is to increase meat production efficiency for the commercial rabbit farming industry. However, it's important to note that while the term "genetically modified" often brings to mind images of organisms that have had their DNA altered using genetic engineering techniques (such as GMOs), Hyla rabbits are not genetically engineered in the same way.

Selective breeding is a traditional method used by farmers and breeders to develop new breeds of animals with specific characteristics by selecting individuals with desired traits and allowing them to reproduce with the intention of passing those traits on to their offspring. This process is based on the principles of natural selection and genetics discovered by Gregor Mendel and Charles Darwin. Through careful selection over multiple generations, breeders can enhance certain characteristics, such as growth rate, meat yield, disease resistance, or temperament.

In contrast, genetic engineering involves the direct manipulation of an organism's genetic makeup using biotechnological methods, such as inserting genes from one organism into the DNA of another, often from a different species, to create traits that would not occur through natural breeding. Genetically engineered animals are also known as transgenic organisms.

While Hyla rabbits have been developed to grow fast and reach table size quickly, this has been achieved through selective breeding rather than direct genetic modification. This distinction is important as selective breeding is a practice that has been employed for thousands of years in animal husbandry and crop cultivation, whereas genetic engineering is a more recent scientific advancement that comes with its own set of ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.