DARK DNA: The end of mendelian supremacy? - Page 1

Recent citting edge discoveries relating to Dark DNA (gene fragments comprised of DNA and RNA previously though inert have been discovered to exert remote control, turning other regular genes on or off. This means that mendelian genetics cannot explain everything that happens. The first setback to mendelian genetics was the phenomena of "crossing over" and re combination of genes fro unknown reasons. Now we know that the Dark DNA may be the cause. Very few reasearchers want to bring much atention to this since drug companies are scambling to discover which dark DNA & RNA fragments actiavte disease in other genes and probably will attempt to patent these. Can you imagine the exciting impications for discovering the actual mechanisms of the incomplete penetrance phenomena in the transmission in lethal or degenerative dog genes? I would guess that the future is very bright for the GSD breed genetically as scientists discovered the gene and their locations for many of these lethal and degernerative fragments. The GSD sire or dam that turns out to be the SUPER DOG of the future may be the V dog who has the best Dark DNA and Regular DNA, even though his confirmation is not quite at the VA level. Very nicely conformed dogs with clean genes that are of good temeperament will be worth their weight in gold. you may want to read this interesting article from Forbes Magazine: http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1212/092_print.html

(Corrected copy) Recent cutting edge discoveries relating to Dark DNA (gene fragments comprised of DNA and RNA), previously thought inert, have been discovered to exert remote control, thus turning other regular genes on or off. This means that mendelian genetics cannot explain everything that happens. The first setback to mendelian genetics was the phenomena of "crossing over" of parallel chromosome pairs (one being provided from each parent) followed by the re-combination of genes. Now we know that the Dark DNA may be the cause of a second type of genetics, different in mechanism than mendelian. Very few researchers want to bring much attention to this phenomena since drug companies are scambling to discover which dark DNA & RNA fragments activate disease in other genes in order to patent these. Can you imagine the exciting impications for discovering the actual mechanisms of the incomplete penetrance phenomena in the transmission of lethal or degenerative dog genes? I would guess that the future is very bright for the GSD breed genetically as scientists discover the genes and their corresponding "remote control" locations for many of these lethal and degernerative fragments. The GSD sire or dam that turns out to be the SUPER DOG of the future may be the V rated dog who has the best Dark DNA and Regular DNA, even though his confirmation is not quite at the VA level. Very nicely conformed dogs with clean genes that are of good temperament will be worth their weight in gold. you may want to read this interesting article from Forbes Magazine: http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/1212/092_print.html

I don't think that there is anything exiting in this whatsoever. I guess we might as well get some little robot dog from Japan. Once someone else has decided that it meets the correct standard of course

gooner, the whole point of breeding is the production of healthy animals close to the standard. Healthy must be emphasized here. Von Stephanitz, the father of the breed knew the value of health and vitality and wrote about it. The proliferation and concentration of bad genes, especially recessives, which lead to "lethal conditions" such as EPI, mega-colon, mega-esophagus, aortic arch stenosis, torsion-proneness, epilepsy & bleeding disorders are the scourge of the GSD breed and EXTREMELY disheartening for the owner who must cope with the occurrence of these conditions. I personally am excited about the possibility in the future of eliminating these useless, degenerative genes which only harm the breed, its popularity, and the dog's owners. Elbow dysplasia has been rampant and only recently has the SV decided to institute certification measures to limit it. We now know that fortunately hip and elbow dysplasia can be greatly reduced through ruthless culling of the animals used for breeding and selection of parents who come from lines dominant for good joints (such as Esko Danischen Hof). The problem with these "lethal genes" is that so far it is very difficult to identify who the actual carriers of them are so that these animals can be culled out of the breeding process. I remember the time when distemper wiped out whole kennels back in the late 1950's. It was very tragic. The development of relatively inexpensive vaccine stopped this cold and was welcomed by all breeders. The same for the occurrence of parvo. Certainly we all will welcome any affordable cure which will eliminate these sinister "lethal genes". Anyone who understands the megacomplexity statistically of genetic division, and recombination during reproduction of the GSD knows that totally engineered GSD is very unlikely. I am talking here about eliminating diseases that are hard to track by parentage because they can skip generations, no rubber stamping reproduction of every animal as a clone, which is impossible and will remain so most likely. Knowledgeable breeders already know how to breed properly to produce good confirmation, movement and temperament. What they have trouble with is knwing how to eliminate the intermittent emergence of these lethal genes. How much more disheartening can it get to have a GSD of about one year old that is a near perfect speciment mentally and physically except for a genetically deficient pancreas which harms his health and possible ends it? I would always be excited about a cure for this.

gooner, the whole point of breeding is the production of healthy animals close to the standard. Healthy must be emphasized here. Von Stephanitz, the father of the breed knew the value of health and vitality and wrote about it. The proliferation and concentration of bad genes, especially recessives, which lead to "lethal conditions" such as EPI, mega-colon, mega-esophagus, aortic arch stenosis, torsion-proneness, epilepsy & bleeding disorders are the scourge of the GSD breed and EXTREMELY disheartening for the owner who must cope with the occurrence of these conditions. I personally am excited about the possibility in the future of eliminating these useless, degenerative genes which only harm the breed, its popularity, and the dog's owners. Elbow dysplasia has been rampant and only recently has the SV decided to institute certification measures to limit it. We now know that fortunately hip and elbow dysplasia can be greatly reduced through ruthless culling of the animals used for breeding and selection of parents who come from lines dominant for good joints (such as Esko Danischen Hof). The problem with these "lethal genes" is that so far it is very difficult to identify who the actual carriers of them are so that these animals can be culled out of the breeding process. I remember the time when distemper wiped out whole kennels back in the late 1950's. It was very tragic. The development of relatively inexpensive vaccine stopped this cold and was welcomed by all breeders. The same for the occurrence of parvo. Certainly we all will welcome any affordable cure which will eliminate these sinister "lethal genes". Anyone who understands the megacomplexity statistically of genetic division, and recombination during reproduction of the GSD knows that totally engineered GSD is very unlikely. I am talking here about eliminating diseases that are hard to track by parentage because they can skip generations, no rubber stamping reproduction of every animal as a clone, which is impossible and will remain so most likely. Knowledgeable breeders already know how to breed properly to produce good confirmation, movement and temperament. What they have trouble with is knwing how to eliminate the intermittent emergence of these lethal genes. How much more disheartening can it get to have a GSD of about one year old that is a near perfect speciment mentally and physically except for a genetically deficient pancreas which harms his health and possible ends it? I would always be excited about a cure for this.

gooner, the whole point of breeding is the production of animals close to the standard who have vitality, health and longevity. The proliferation and concentration of bad genes, especially recessives, which lead to "lethal conditions" such as EPI, mega-colon, mega-esophagus, aortic arch stenosis, pituitary dwarfism, torsion-proneness, epilepsy & bleeding disorders, etc. are the scourge of the GSD breed and disheartening for the owner who must cope with the occurrence of these conditions. I personally am excited about the possibility in the future of eliminating these useless, degenerative genes which only harm the breed and the dog's owners. I remember the time when distemper wiped out whole kennels back in the late 1950's. It was very tragic. The development of relatively inexpensive vaccine stopped this cold and was welcomed by all breeders. The same for the occurrence of parvo. Certainly we all will welcome any affordable cure which will allow these lethal genes to be identified in breeding stock and eliminated from duplication during breeding. The statistical complexity of canine genes and their division and recombination during reproduction of the GSD makes rubber stamped clones for the GSD extremely unlikely. Knowledgeable breeders already know how to breed properly to produce good confirmation, movement, temperament and healthy joints. What they have trouble with is knowing how to eliminate the intermittent, unpredictable and/or late onset emergence of lethal genes. How much more disheartening can it be for an owner to see his near perfect GSD of about one year old outgrow his own pancreas? I would always be excited about a cure for this or any other lethal gene.

I have to agree with Gooner. If a breeder plans on diving THAT deep into genetics and gene manipulation and control, that is taking it to far.That would be like taking the natural aspect of the whole thing.I can't really explain what I mean by that, but hopefully readers will get my point. It's understandable to research bloodlines and breed accordingly, but I think going that deep is taking it to far.

<...most disease-causing genetic flaws will be found lurking in our junk DNA.> This is an awesome articles Preston! Thanks for making note of it!

Anything to better our breeding programs is a good thing. Thank you for bringing it to our attention Jim.

DNA research is certainly a fasinating field and much has yet to be discovered. I believe any tool that can provide better understanding into heritability in dogs has the potential to enchance the breed. I don't mean that we want to create rotot-like cookie-cutter dogs, but that eliminating the most undesirable and lethal problems from the breed can only be helpful. By the way, does anyone know if there is any research evidence of "chimerism" in dogs. If evidence of this was discovered it would certainly throw the DNA databases a loop!