JANUARY
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
New York, NY - Dogs initially earned the moniker "man's best friend"
as a result of their work alongside man as hunter, herder, or
guardian. Today's canine may have dwindling duties on the farm and
in the field but a new role has emerged, taking simple companionship
a step further and becoming a full fledged family member. Like our
human family members, we concern ourselves with our dogs' health and
longevity. A positive side effect of our desire to understand more
about our pet's well being is research that helps not only the dogs
themselves but has profound implications for human health as well.
Man has selectively bred dogs over centuries creating pedigreed
breeds with verifiable ancestry. These closely monitored
populations, thanks in part to AKC's Compliance recordkeeping
standards, make them suitable to study not only canine diseases, but
humans as well, since these two species share 85 percent of the same
genetic make-up. This heritage, couple with the dog's shorter
generation spans and DNA samples collected from the fancy, made the
purebred dog the ideal model for genome mapping.
When the canine genome sequencing project was undertaken the
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) became the
largest non-profit supporter of this research initiative. Once the
canine genome was finished, it joined four other completed
sequences, including the human and chimp, to give researchers more
tools to gain faster genetic results in research to find causes -
and thus cures - for diseases.
One such example is the breakthrough discovery on Neuronal Ceroid
Lipofuscinosis in Tibetan Terriers that led to a landmark stem cell
replacement therapy in a California boy who was suffering with the
human equivalent called Batten Disease. In addition, there are
cardiac and cancer AKC/CHF-funded research projects currently
underway that may lead to cross-over benefits for human treatment.
Man's best friend giving back in an unexpected way.
In 2006, many advances were made in developing genetic tests for
dogs as a result of the canine genome map. Tests were developed for
copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers and juvenile cataracts in
Boston Terriers. Important discoveries were made regarding the
transmission of the tick-borne disease Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Genetic markers causing specific illnesses in Basenjis, Standard
Poodles, and English Cocker Spaniels were also identified.
Another benchmark for the advancement of canine health and research
came last year with the establishment of the DNA Repository. This
research database, a collaboration of AKC/CHF and the Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals (OFA) partnering with the Canine Health
Information Center (
www.caninehealthinfo.org ) is a collection of
canine DNA samples that will become a major tool for funded
researchers worldwide.
We are proud to continue our funding of the AKC/CHF, with $15
million to date and another $1.2 million donation slated for 2007.
These dollars have helped fund more than 340 studies in nearly all
of the top ten diseases in dogs and aided more than 74 schools and
research institutes worldwide including Great Britain, Germany,
Australia, and the Netherlands. The correlation between genetic
health testing and responsible breeding can never be understated.
Because of the genetic tests made available through AKC/CHF,
breeders have a wealth of information and resources at their
fingertips.
To aid in our mission to advance canine health we also present the
popular Breeders' Symposia. These cutting-edge seminars help us
educate breeders and the public about canine health, genetics and
responsible breeding. The next Breeders' Symposium, presented by AKC/CHF
and the American Kennel Club will be held later this month on
January 27 - 28 hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, School of
Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. For more information on this
exciting opportunity to learn about what man's best friend is up to
in the field of canine health go to:
www.akcchf.org
.
Sincerely,
Ron Menaker
Chairman
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