Originally Posted by MyFairLacy
(Post 1815507)
I think a lot of people see "DNA tested" and think, "wow! this dog must have been screened for everything!". But health screening does not really involve DNA (which is why the correct term is "health" screening and not "genetic" screening) because at this point you can't look at a dog's DNA and find genetic markers for congenital defects and diseases. I know there is a researcher petitioning AKC for funds to start a study on liver shunt - the goal is to find a genetic marker for the disease, but now now, it is just not possible. At this point, all that can be done is to perform certain tests to make sure the dogs don't have or show signs of a disease/defect...although they can still be a carrier so its important to know that all dogs in a pedigree are disease/defect-free as well. DNA Testing is only used to identify a dog and prove who the sire and dam are...and then there is the MARS test for breed (but that is pretty inaccurate at this point). I really hope that one day we can take a dog's DNA and know if it is a carrier of a disease!
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