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The breeder genetic algorithm (BGA) models artificial selection as performed by human breeders. The science of breeding is based on advanced statistical methods. In this paper a connection between genetic algorithm theory and the science of breeding is made. We show how the response to selection equation and the concept of heritability can be applied to predict the behavior of the BGA. Selection, recombination, and mutation are analyzed within this framework. It is shown that recombination and mutation are complementary search operators. The theoretical results are obtained under the assumption of additive gene effects. For general fitness landscapes, regression techniques for estimating the heritability are used to analyze and control the BGA. The method of decomposing the genetic variance into an additive and a nonadditive part connects the case of additive fitness functions with the general case.