Captain Haggerty
Explains Cryptorchids
and why other Genetic Studies are needed
In reference to
the article;
http://www.thedogplace.org/Genetics/DNA-Cryptorchid-050810061_Andrews.asp
Capt. Arthur J. Haggerty / ©
TheDogPlace 2005 -
Your article on "cryptorchidism"
and DNA was interesting. To begin with the correct term is orchidism
but even the veterinarian made this common mistake so you get a pass on
that. There are, of course no breeds in studies on cryptorchidism
because cryptorchids are sterile (neither testicle descending). Monorchids (one testicle descending or being retained) can reproduce.
I've gotten the
nit-picking out of the way so now let me speak in defense of the study.
Personally I think the most valid and pertinent question to ask of any
study is WHO is financing (with the subtext of WHY?) the study. This
question will affect the outcome of the study I'm sorry to say. The
slogan "publish or perish" is what keeps these scientists going. If
they keep coming up with the wrong answer how many additional studies
will be funded?
But this is
defense of the study. More money is available for human research than
dog research. Dogs benefit before humans because generally the research
is done on them. The AR criticism that pure-bred dogs are loaded with
all sorts of maladies is not a negative. That is very positive.
Pure-bed dogs give us a reservoir of the genes needed to study these
diseases. The Doberman carries von Willebrand's disease. For some
strange reason they cannot transmit it.
Dr. Thedore Leber
was a Berlin MD who died in 1917. He discovered Leber's congenital
amaurosis. Well ahead of his time, Leber now has a breed of dog that
carries the disease - the Briard, and NOW there is money for the human
research of the disease. These are all positives and the dog will
benefit first.
Now Americans do
NOT want to know what diseases their dogs carry, no matter what they
say. In Germany des Verein fuer deutsche Schaeferhund would not give
their permission to breed to a dog that carried a "problem". Can you
imagine what an American would say if someone told them they couldn't
breed their bitch to this stud?
Stop and think.
What would be the purpose of such a study if it was not to identify the
carriers of the disease? How many blood samples would they get if
people knew that?
CAPTAIN HAGGERTY
Author of "How To Get Your Pet
Into Show Business"
and "How To Teach Your Dog To Talk" with over 200 tricks
Publisher of the AGGRESSION NEWSLETTER
www.HaggertyDog.com
The dog world lost a great champion when the Captain passed away July
2006.
http://www.thedogplace.org/Genetics/Cryptorchid-Monorchid-050910061-Haggerty.asp
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