From: "Bill Cole" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Isn't that a pretty violent leap?
Not really, no. It is a policy of ethical breeders in general to not
breed animals with genetic defects. Ann-Marie did say that this is
inherited.
> As you know, I know almost zip about genetics. I know that NGS
Standards
> do not recognize a kinked tail -- but so what for pets? Perhaps
> Ann-Marie's gerbils will be sought after for their unique kinked tails
and
> wonderful personalities.
Well, it's easy to say "so what for pets." However, she obviously can't
keep all these gerbils. She has to pass them on to new homes. Those
new homes may decide to breed them, thus perpetuating the defect.
And, when it is out of Ann-Marie's hands, the kinked tail might become a
"sought after" trait. And too much inbreeding of that fault and you're
like to get gerbils with serious spinal problems and deformities. That
may sound silly, but Manx cats often have that problem. Breeding for
non-standard body types has given us many dog breeds, but also many dog
breeds with serious hip, nose, eye, and skin problems. I think it
should not be a goal of gerbil breeders to create unusual body type
conformations.
I'm not trying to condemn you, Ann-Marie, but IMO you should rethink
breeding from any animals you know carry this trait.
Michelle
Flutist
