I have followed with interest the long dialogue on Health requirements for registration.The question is hotly debated internationally across all breeds.I have previously posted that from my experience in Setters the only real progress we have made was for two conditions PRA and CLAD for which we have DNA testing. Both conditions are simple autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The Irish Setter fraternity world wide I believe is supportive to restricting registration for those who have not been screened for these conditions.. A window period has been adopted in some countries that allows carriers identified by DNA screening to be "salvaged" by breeding to DNA clear individuals and then retesting the resulting progeny. This has allowed the preservation of almost all bloodlines internationally.It is quite conceivable in Australia that we will be able to declare the entire breeding population Genetically Clear for both conditions within a couple of years.At this time most responsible breeders have screened all breeding stock. Breeding restrictions already apply in England with 2005 being the cut of point for non DNA Clear individuals.. The funding to develop the tests was provide almost exclusively by the Breed Clubs.It is my understanding that the breakthrough for a range of other conditions is very close with many other Breeds already having available a range of DNA tests. Conditions where no definitive test is available and screening alone is available have often proven quite disheartening and frustrating for breeders. Those of us who have been screening for HD , in my own case some thirty years, have seen some patterns in families but also have questioned why we have made so little progress in this area.If we were dealing with a straight genetic issue it would be easy but when you come to realise that this is a condition which occurs in every breed the question has to be asked how this has come about when the breeds have been isolated for in some case thousands of years.Many have theorised about environmental factors. The most likely answers in my view will come from research in other species.Equine research into OCD is already giving clear directions to Stud Masters on feeding regimes to produce sound animals.It is early days but many dog breeders are following these studies with great interest. I am personally opposed to arbitrary "cut off points" for any screening program.The important issue is that the information is available. Generations of scores for siblings is needed before informed decisions can be made on the direction for any given population. An isolated score without a family background can send you off down a path to disaster.It is no different to breeding for any trait or quality its the depth of pedigree information that allows informed breeding to eliminate, consolidate or develop in any particular quality. It has been my experience that there will always be those who will not comply with regulations. The question that needs to be asked is do you keep these people "in the fold" and continue to educate them for the long term benefit of the breed or exclude them .I would favour compulsory screening but would strenuously resist the imposition of cut off points. The breed and its long term welfare should be the goal. The Cavalier has no choice as to certificate it happens to be born with. Its still a Cavalier regardless of who breeds it under whatever registry. I hope the debate remains focused on the Breed. l Cheers Greg Greg Browne_Eireannmada Setters and Cavaliers [EMAIL PROTECTED] ========================================================"Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
