PRA
Genetics by Seeing Eye
Staff ©
2000
TheDogPlace.org
Genetically engineering a breed for
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Is it a good thing? The blind
sure are thrilled but some breeders feel that this impinges on purebreds.
Science has invented a new breed of guide dog with better resistance to
certain debilitating diseases that prevent the dog from serving its human
partner, and in some cases, prevent the blind person from being able to use
a guide dog.
Quoting from an article in Popular Mechanics 4/2000; "Selective breeding of
Labrador and Golden retrievers has produced an improved strain of dog guides
for the blind.
"Called the Lab-golden, the new breed is more patient with their masters
than the traditionally used animals, which include Labs, Goldens, German
shepherds and, for those allergic to fur, Boxers.
"More important, the lab-golden is immune to progressive retinal atrophy.
This genetic eye disease has the ironic effect of slowly blinding guide
dogs, which is both costly and emotionally devastating for their masters,
who come to know their animals as more than just pets.
The Lab-golden is the
result of research by Eldin Leighton, Director of Canine Genetics for
Seeing Eye Inc. This Morristown, N.J., organization that trains guide
dogs has been working for more than 20 years to improve companions for the
blind.
http://www.thedogplace.org/Genetics/Engineering-for-PRA.asp
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