programmed DNA elimination programmed DNA elimination by chromosome breakage https://github.com/geneontology/go-ontology/issues/22815 chromosome breakage Regulated cleavage of the developing macronuclear genome at a limited number of chromosome breakage sites (CBS). The macronuclear destined segment (MDS) sequence adjacent to the CBS (or separated from it by a BES) receives a macronuclear telomere following chromosome breakage. GO:0031052 Note that this term refers to breakage of chromosomes during normal DNA well characterized in ciliates but also present in many vertebrates; it is not to be used for DNA damage or other abnormal occurrences.