Re: Cancer and OTHER Studies

[Molly Bass]

There is one school - somewhere in the east but I cannot remember the name, 
where they are mapping the canine genome. However they are using boxers. 
Evidently there is an even smaller gene pool in boxers than in BMDs and 
certain breeders have such records of their lines that they were able to 
contact 40 owners and achieve their study group in a matter of weeks. The 
variations in these lines is so small that they feel they can determine the 
genome much as it was done in humans. Once they are able to map it, then 
they should be able to transfer the information to other breeds.

One thing I found interesting in visiting the lab in Seattle was that Heidi 
Parker told me that in several cases where dogs suffer from the same 
ailment as humans, diabetes for example, that when they have located the 
genetic marker on the human DNA, within months they are able to locate the 
genetic marker in the dogs. Usually it is in a position close to that on 
the human DNA. Therefore, by identifying markers in humans, it can be 
transferred to animals and vice versa. They are hoping to do this with 
various forms of cancer as well as other diseases.

Molly et al
Charlottesville, VA


I changed the subject line to include *OTHER* studies, as well.

What about any other studies that are not specifically for cancer, like 
tracing DNA?