Quote:
Originally Posted by elf
In fact I was thinking about what would be a clever breeding program regarding DM for CSV, because if one looks at OFA statistic for GSD here it is ( http://www.offa.org/dnateststats.html ):
GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG
CLEAR 213 46%
CARRIER 151 33%
AT RISK 98 21%
TOTAL ABNORMAL 249 54%
TOTAL TESTED 462
So 54% abnormal... |
Hmmmm.. I think that is a bit complicated on this moment.
We just did start with testing and don't have a clue how many dogs will be carrier or affected.
Besides that it is know that not all affected ones become ill between 8 and 10years. Some of them have other problems or die before they have DM problems. And with other dogs the problems develop when they are 13 years or older.
The research of Missouri recommends:
We recommend that dog breeders take into consideration the DM test results as they plan their breeding programs; however, they should not over-emphasize this test result. Instead, the test result is one factor among many in a balanced breeding program.
And I agree with this! We should not over react on DM.
There will appear more diseases (and tests for this) in future.
Most of the Carriers and Affected dogs will have also good genes for the future of the breed!
And we can't afford to exclude all these dogs for the gene pool of the breed.
We need time to reduce this disease!
So maybe we can choose to make combinations Affected x Free and Carrier x Free (and of course Free x Free
).
Then you don't create Affected ones any more
And yes indeed than you are still spreading the defect gene in the population.
But when you want to exclude all the Carriers and Affected ones, you can wait for other new genetic diseases!
But I hope everyone realizes also that although when we don't exclude dogs, it is very important to test as many dogs as we can!
A bit of topic:
After I did receive some questions about DNA tests for MD, I also want to explain another thing.
The test that is validated for CsW is based on MDO1 gene. This is the same test that is developed in Missouri (Click
HERE for more info about all Missouri research)
Besides this on internet is also to find info about the DM Flash test 1101 (of dr Clemmons) in Florida. But there was never a scientific publication about this test, and I was informed by specialist that this test is not trustful.