The Truth: Every Living Thing Is A Genetic Defect Carrier

This is kinda what knabe has been saying all along. I thought this was a pretty good article.




The Truth: Every Living Thing Is A Genetic Defect Carrier
Aug. 22, 2013By Jared E. Decker, University of Missouri assistant professor and beef genetics specialist
EMAIL
INSHARE



COMMENTS 1
A new perspective about genetic defects is needed, because all animals are carriers of something.
RELATED MEDIA
zilmax pulled from U.S. & canada
Capping An Eventful Nine Days, Merck Halts Zilmax™ Sales
Commercial Cattleman Builds Back His Herd Using DNA Marker Technology
80+ Photos Of Our Favorite Calves & Cowboys
Advertisement

Here's the bitter pill. Every living thing – including you – carries a large number of broken genes. In humans, on average, we carry one broken, lethal copy and one normal copy of about 20 genes. In other words, if we had inherited two copies of the broken gene, we wouldn't have survived past birth.

We have about another 80 genes for which one copy is broken, but it’s not lethal. These 80 cause some sort of abnormality or defect if we were to inherit two copies, but do not result in death. The same situation is true for our cattle.

Dorian Garrick, Lush Chair of Animal Breeding & Genetics at Iowa State University, gave a great presentation on this topic at the Beef Improvement Federation meeting in June. Find a summary, proceeding paper, slides, and audio here. Garrick argued that knowing our animal is a carrier is a good thing, because now we are dealing with a known rather than an unknown. He said a new perspective about genetic defects was needed.

Garrick also pointed out that all animals are carriers of something. For example, I recently saw cattle advertised as "100% genetic defect free." The breeder did not realize this, but this statement is patently untrue, and is actually false advertising. The breeder could have stated that the animals are 100% free of known genetic defects, but all animals carry genetic defects.

These scientific facts force us to change the way we view and approach genetic abnormalities and defects. Cattle producers and breed associations cannot rapidly eliminate genetic defects. If they do so, valuable animals with superior genetic merit for production traits will be discarded. Actually, if they eliminated all carriers, there would be no cattle left of the breed!

Rather, genetic defects need to be managed and gradually selected out of the population. By knowing the carrier status of at-risk animals, we can make certain that we never mate two carriers. By doing so, we will increase pregnancy rates and ensure animal welfare.

Certain breed associations allow their membership to manage genetic defects. These associations allow producers to register, sell, and transfer carrier animals and their progeny. Other breed associations will need to permanently alter their policies to deal with our increased awareness of genetic defects. However, we need to discard the stigma attached to the words “genetic” and “defect.” Hopefully these more favorable policies toward defects will increase the rates of reporting abnormal calves.



Like what you are reaading? Subscribe now to Wes Ishmael's Cattle Market Weekly for price trends and market updates.



Do not dismay, there is a silver lining to all of this. Due to improvements in DNA genotyping and drastic reductions in the cost of DNA sequencing, researchers can now rapidly identify the DNA variant responsible for a genetic abnormality.

In fact, Dave Patterson and Jerry Taylor at the University of Missouri are leading an effort to sequence approximately 150 popular sires from nine beef breeds. This research will identify numerous broken genes. This research will allow us to select against genetic abnormalities long before we observe affected calves.

Knowing that all animals carry genetic abnormalities, there is no reason to throw the baby out with the bath water. We need to accept the fact that all cattle carry genetic abnormalities and adjust our breeding practices. We’ll now have the tools to manage genetic defects while continuing to use animals of superior genetic merit.

and because we don't have individual allele information from the genetics companies, excluding all the carriers will narrow the gene pool as everyone overreacts about the carriers, throwing away potential valuable genes all because people feel the need to label breeders either too ignorant or greedy or everything in-between.

sad

I don't know what you are talking about Doc, my babies are perfect.  Don't believe me, just ask their mama! 

I'm not sure I agree with all this or not. I fully agree with the premise that we all carry some " broken" or defect genes. The part I am wondering about is that I am sure that a certain portion of our society must be genetic defects ie: Our politicians, lawyers, et al. How else can you justify what the do and how they do it?

justintime said:

I'm not sure I agree with all this or not. I fully agree with the premise that we all carry some " broken" or defect genes. The part I am wondering about is that I am sure that a certain portion of our society must be genetic defects ie: Our politicians, lawyers, et al. How else can you justify what the do and how they do it?

Click to expand...

once the public allowed them to entrench themselves as a full time positions, the defect of society NOT replacing them became homozygous in the population and a permanent defect.  it's not the politicians who are defective, it's the public. 

DL said:

not entirely sure but don't believe there are many humans with or without"broken genes" that have sired thousands of offspring?

Click to expand...

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0214_030214_genghis.html

http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/Meet-Irelands-most-prolific-high-king---you-may-be-descended-from-him-133680518.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130620145532AAn4Rs4

then, there's always isaac and ishmael and mohammed .

arabs, by far have the most genetic defects of any population.  that's why companies are over there collecting dna as we speak.  a few companies are doing the same thing jerry taylor is doing in cattle, except in cattle.  a guy at our company quit to do just that, and yes, they went to the middle east. 25-65% of all marriages in muslim countries are first cousin marriages and yes, they by far have the most congenital defects, well mutations.  to any good atheist that has guts, they also have the worshiping defect, something atheists are all to willing to ridicule christians for, but not muslims.

DL said:

Gotta love the logic - because we all have "broken genes" - including us humans - we should accept lethal recessive defects and move on - same logic that Select Sires is using to continue to sell DD carrier Angus bulls - not entirely sure but don't believe there are many humans with or without"broken genes" that have sired thousands of offspring?

And really do they think we are so stupid that they can't use the word mutation? A change in a single base pair might alter a function but the gene isn't broken - ahh the spin

Click to expand...

Its a big picture item.  Genetics shouldn't be thrown away completely because of carrier status.  Knowledge is the difference.  Once identified, it actually makes the genetic contribution of elite animals even more valuable. 

You don't think a clean line bred Precision 1680 wouldn't be worth something? 

If the problem is number of decedents, then we might as well throw AI and embryo transfer out the window. 

The value in identification isn't to throw the baby out with the bath water.  Identify the crap floating at the top, throw out the water and save the baby- its a lot of work to get them here in the first place. 

Plus, I have a theory that will prove that no one is defect free.

commercialfarmer said:

Plus, I have a theory that will prove that no one is defect free.

Click to expand...

voting against the smallest minority of all, the individual?

Just remember, you asked.  8)

My Theory:  No individual (other than the Lord re-incarnated) is perfect.

Therefore, if no person is perfect, then they are all flawed. I break down the flaws into 3 categories. Physical, Mental, and Emotional.

Scientifically of course, my job is to prove the theory wrong.

Therefore, the hypothesis to be proven wrong would be the opposite- there is a perfect person. Since I don't want to go around judging men physically, I use the opposite sex. Therefore, more simplistically, my hypothesis is: There is a perfect woman. Remember, we will evaluate this by mental, physical and emotional characteristics.

I have tested my hypothesis many times and it has not proven correct in a single trial. Therefor, my theory has held true to this day.

The methods of the trials are described as below:

I start with the physical, it is the easiest category to begin culling the masses. I look the world over for a youthful lady that is physically... well perfect. You know, the kind with beauty that can't be matched for 2 counties. I study her from top to bottom (especially the bottom).

Then from distance, I observe her for decision making capabilities, does she make dumb mistakes like go in the out door and out the in door. Does she lock herself out of her car. If she passes with appropriate mental acuity, I begin the final evaluation.

I approach her and ask her out on a date to investigate her emotional nature. I tell her, I've been watching her for quite some time and studying her through my binoculars..... and she has met all my requirements up to that point. Now I'd like to get to know her better, I can pick her up at her house Friday at 8 p.m., I already have their address....... and know she'll can be home because she gets of work by 6.

My gosh, everytime!!! Talk about emotionally immature...You can bet your bottom dollar that everyone of them won't even let you even finish asking before they're yelling and throwing things... Every single one of them may be perfect otherwise, but emotionally, they're worse than a 3 yr old.

There is not perfect woman! 

I just extrapolate my findings to other species. 

This a great article and very interesting read

Mutations and genetic drift are normal events. But why keep around genetic defects that are devistative to economically importatant traits like living.

You are confusing keeping defects around like th rather than not throwing away animals with defects but otherwise have other merit. The test allows one to use them.

Apparently no one will ever see that that views all defects to be sent to slaughter immediately and anyone who does otherwise is evil and Shoukd be written off and Shoukd commit suicide or be hanged whichever is faster. I'm tired of the continual personal attacks because people aren't perfect.

So here are a few thoughts to add to the mix:
- All you have to do to prove humans have "defects" is to look around. Good grief, I was at a state fair a few weeks ago, and YEP, defects everywhere.
- For those that condone using defect carriers in cattle: How would you feel if two Down Syndrome adults had a child? How about 2 "mentally retarded" adults wanted to have children? Cerebral palsy?  You get the idea. Think hard, because I deal with the public and I know what 99.99% of people think (even though you might deny it!).

I am flexible when it comes to OTHERS using defect carriers. The problem is how it is dealt with; honestly and up front with full disclosure to uneducated buyers, or mentioned and glossed over?

At the moment the bottleneck of killing every animal and removing them from the gene pool, is the lack of tests to prove all defects.

I'm pretty certain that previous generations knew that all people and all animals are carriers of some form of damaged genetic information.  I don't think the laws to prevent marriage between first cousins or closer originated in the last 10 years.  There is a reason behind this law/practice and it isn't just the ewwww factor. 


All those that believe in test and kill, why not use an age old practice of uncovering genetic defects. 

If you fully believe in this practice, practice what you preach. 

Breed back every sire you use or own to its direct offspring.  If any anomaly is uncovered, kill every genetically related animal. 

To have a perfect animal, you should be able to breed brothers to sisters and sons to mothers and fathers to daughters repeatedly with no anomalies in phenotype or function for generation after generation, and to out-crosses. 

Why wait for a test?  Get ahead of the game.  Be a pioneer.  A reproductive pioneer guru.  Though you may not have any breeding stock, I'm sure that many will applaud your efforts.

That applause may not advance the beef industry or put beef on the table or in the mouths of others, but you should be able to sleep well at night... unless of course your only source of income is breeding cattle and you've lost your home and therefor your bed because you can't pay the mortgage... but hey that's one less hassle to have to worry about also right? 

Muddy the water.......deny deny deny.....muddy the water......dump cattle off in the new 4-h family cow herds. They don't know any better......they are gone as an enity in 5 years....easy targets......its called predator marketing.

Still...  You make nothing.

I call that a defect.

Should we take you to the sale barn?

You remind me of lord Farquaad

Commercialfarmer - Actually, I am doing that, especially in my sheep herd. I haven't bought a ram in 15 years, and breed fathers to daughter, mothers to sons, brothers to sisters, etc. Haven't had a wreck yet, and in fact, have improved my REA by 100%, fertility the same, wean an average of 1.8, and DOF at 130 days.

I have found a line of cattle that I really l like, so am slowly doing that. Have a brother/sister offspring that is really special. Next year am expecting a mother, son mating that should be pretty darn good.

I think breeding defective cattle does no one any good. I also realize too many people have too much money involved to just expect them to kill every defect carrier. Again, it all goes back to honesty, and there are just too many unethical, un-honest people in the cattle industry to RELY on honesty. So then you have to rely on research, barn talk, and personal intuition.

aj said:

Mutations and genetic drift are normal events. But why keep around genetic defects that are devistative to economically importatant traits like living.

Click to expand...

The key is to never mate a carrier to another carrier. Then, you never have the embryonic lethal. I am not arguing that we propagate these defects, I am arguing that we selected them out in a systematic way in which we still use the other good that carrier animals possess.

I agree that people need to be honest and report the carrier status of their animals. I am support policies like the Simmental Association that flag all possible carriers. I don't like policies that do not allow carriers to be used in a systematic and planned way.

Jared Decker