Degenerative Myelopathy Update - Page 2

--- > Further,  one cannot make sound judgments about dogs and dog genetics from some database created by a layperson that has a few entries and many of which are subject to scrutiny and dismissal. This is not how good science works.

You seem to be quite bent out of shape about the GSDBBR? What does the GSDBBR have to do with  GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG DM being a different disease than Corgi/Boxer DM?  I just opened up another thread to discuss the pros and cons of the GSDBBR, so please do so on that thread!.
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/bulletins_read/282978.html
This thread is solely for the discussion of DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY. Please dont stomp on it because of your views of the GSDBBR! What is at stake here is far too important!

Yes, I am most definitely pushing my own agenda, in regards to DM. The DM of the GSD cannot be left in the hands of people studying a different type of DM!  While I love ALL dogs, and am involved in rescue, I am a GSD person, and GSDS come FIRST, to me!

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.com 501 C3 pending
 www.gsdbbr.org--> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

--- >What this all means is that NO research has been conclusive to date as to a genetic marker and the pushing of a genetic test that has been done to date has been unwarranted.

Sorry, Hodie, I have to disagree, here.  Genetic tests help to gather data, and without data, research cannot possibly move forward and knowledge cannot possibly be gained.

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.com 501 C3 pending
 http://www.gsdbbr.org--> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

 I will write it again. Perhaps this time Marjorie will carefully read and try to understand what was written: :What this all means is that NO research has been conclusive to date as to a genetic marker and the pushing of a genetic test that has been done to date has been unwarranted."

Note, there is nothing in that statement that says anything about research being done and done properly. Unfortunately, when the wrong people try to interpret what research does and does not intend to look at, and make more of it than is there, especially pushing tests which are, at best, preliminary, then no, research is not served. All it does is muddy the water. I bet Dr. Clemons can speak for himself....

--- >  Perhaps this time Marjorie will carefully read and try to understand what was written

Marjorie understands very well what was written. However, what you wrote could be easily interpreted either way. As someone who knows her better than others, do not make the mistake of underestimating her- ever ;) As Julia Roberts said in the movie "Pretty Woman"

"Big Mistake- BIG"!

LOL!

Yes, Dr Clemmons most certainly can speak for himself, but he is a gentle man. He would never lower himself to argue or fight with the vultures and thieves of the world in the manner in which they conduct themselves. He *fights* back by educating people to the truth- truth is his weapon of choice. However, others tend to fight dirty. Thats just not his style. Me- on the other hand, I can get down and dirty with the best of them. A good fight brings out the best in me, when truth is at stake ;)

Marjorie
Executive Director: New Beginnings Shepherd Rescue
www.newbeginningsrescue.com 501 C3 pending

www.gsdbbr.org --> The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (including frozen/chilled semen database)
Please utilize this Health Registry to ensure a healthy future for our breed!
Be PROACTIVE!
 http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group

What exactly do you mean by "conclusive" hobie? The Flash test came out in Dec 04 so there have been 5 years of gathering data plus all the data that went into confirming it before making it available. Last I heard it had a specificity of 96% and a sensitivity of 98%. I dont know the number of samples but obviously it is more than a few and no test can be run on 100% of the population. In a strict sense of the meaning of "conclusive" which you seem to be using, no test is conclusive then is it?