moonglowScientists Complete Canine Genome Sequence
June 19th 2008 05:15
Biologists have just finished sequencing the first genome in doggy DNA, according to a story in Science Daily. The first dog to have his genes mapped was a poodle named Shadow, but the mapping wasn't fully completed. This new completely mapped genome comes from a boxer.
This accomplishment has many applications for the field of veterinary medicine, as it could help to find genetic predispositions and treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes. And, since many of these diseases are shared by humans, they could help with human medical research as well.
Breeders can use this information to test the purity of their dogs' breed, and they will eventually be able to use the genetic information to find and eliminate disease-causing mutations that can be passed down through pedigree lines.
There are also companies already marketing this new discovery as a way to identify dog breeds. The Christian Science Monitor reported last year that a company called Wisdom Panel MX is offering DNA testing to identify the breeds in mixed-breed dogs. The test requires a blood sample and costs around $125.
My dog, Jem, is a mutt, and I've always been curious as to what mix she is. I don't know that I'd put her through a blood draw and shell out $125 to find out, though. What do you all think?
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