WoW question about the new profession benefits?

Yes, its a bonus, but its only to gathering skills/alchemy

Alchemy: allows bonus effects from your potions.

Skinning: Bonus to Critical Strike rating

Mining: Bonus to HP/Soon to be Defense stats

Herblore: a HoT spell that gets better as you level

Each regular proffesion has abilitys that only the proffesioner can use now:

Blacksmithing: Socket bracers/gloves

Jewelcrafting: BoP Gems only for the JC

Inscription: the BEST shoulder/head enchants in game

Leatherworking: Bracer linings with incredibly powerful stat bonus's

Engineering: Many useful belt attachments, not to mention the Mechanohog

Enchanting: Ring Enchants for enchanter only, VERY powerful.

Am I forgetting any proffesions......

Wow Profession Benefits

I believe you will lose the ability but I've not tested. I didn't see anything on Wowhead about it either way.

No you do not because you get an achievement