You see, the problem at this time with the screening of the diseases using
the genes is the same as if you were trying reading a French text. You know
the letters, but you dont know the meaning of the words, except maybe some
few like Oui, Non, Bonjour. We can read the individual letters of the canine
or humane gene code, but we cant understand what they mean yet. In the case
of HD, where it is thought multiple genes are involved, it will be very
complex to figure which ones are involved, how they work toguether etc.. It
is not something as straight forward as some characteristics coat color. It
is bit like this: both my mom and dad had blue eyes, so their kids had all
blue/green eyes. That was easily predicted. But they could not have a
precise idea of our heights; my mom is 5', my dad 6'. My bros are 5.11-6, my
sis 5.7 and me 5.2. There is so many genes involved which impact on our
growth that they could not predict what size we would be. And bugger, I am
the smallest with the big feet of my dad. That is why they cant prove in a
court of law that HD is necessary of genetic origin. The only thing that a
breeder can do his due diligence and trying to prevent breeding individuals
who have HD. He will lower the risk, not eliminate it. Especially that there
seems to be more at work with HD than genetic, environmental factors such as
food sems to impact.


Marie-Josée Garand, Ph.D.