John Armstrong
The Nature of Genetic Disease
Many people label any problem that appears to be inherited a "genetic disease." However...
ELIMINATING MUTATION:
THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM
Though it is not practical to eliminate all deleterious mutation, the incidence of affected individuals may be significantly reduced through a combination of intelligent breeding practice and the development of DNA tests.
Breeding Schemes
Breeders often talk about inbreeding and outcrossing as though they were the only possibilities -- and generally with negative comments about the latter. There are other possibilities, and I have long been a proponent of assortative mating. It is not a theoretical concept that doesn't work in practice; I know several breeders who do it and achieve good results. This essay will attempt to explain why it is a good idea, but first I need to define the aternatives.
POPULATION GENETICS AND BREEDING
When Mendel's work was rediscovered at the beginning of the twentieth century, the new field of Genetics went in several directions.
BASIC GENETIC CONCEPTS
Most of you are undoubtedly aware that color and certain diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are inherited — that is, passed down from one or both the parents.