Now remember, I’m not a scientist or a mathematician — just a lawyer . . . and I don’t want to beat the DM topic to death, but I want to look at the testing from the other end. The primary opposition to performing the DNA test for Degenerative Myelopathy seems to be “if we cannot predict which dog is going to exhibit DM symptoms (actually be affected), then the test has almost no value”. I look at it from the other direction: what we do know about the DM test results? What we do know is that dogs that are “clear” or are “carriers” will NEVER be symptomatic. So, testing and breeding carefully allows us to be certain that the puppies/dogs we place with others will not spend their last year or so with no feeling in their rear ends, with that numbness moving gradually up their bodies. I don’t really care if .05% or 25% of Cardis will exhibit DM symptoms — what is really important is that we have the ability to take that percentage to 0. Don’t we have that obligation as well?
I look at Hip Dysplasia the same way. If by testing (and using the results) we can reduce the incidence or severity of Hip Dysplasia, don’t we have an obligation to do that?
I think everyone who seriously breeds (non-commercial) hopes to produce a shining star — but to produce a shining star that will still be a healthy, loving companion when it is 15 or 16 or 17 years old — priceless!
