Almost every discussion at some point seems to elude to a need to rid the world of the genetic defects known as TH and PHA.
The difference between a genetic "mutation", such as double muscling, and a genetic "defect" like TH is............?
Nothing. Not really anyway. Maybe the guy who is behind the computer. They are both mutations. Subjectivity decides whether these mutations are "good" or "evil", and human nature is to classify them before we understand them. Now, I know the first argument will be that any lethal mutation is bad. Point taken, score one for that viewpoint, I agree. But some mutations have been classified as negative, selected against, and then later found to have value.
I would argue that immediate dismissal of these cattle as culls is shortsighted and naive. Evolution and genetic progress are driven by mutations. These are tools at your disposal to make better cattle. Obviously lethality is not the only thing involved in this mutation. Some say it is hair, bone size, etc. I think most would agree there is a phenotypic value or characteristic associated with these mutations. The fact is if there were no redeeming attributes to these animals, this problem would have taken care of itself years ago as the Maine Assoc. predicted.
Point: If you don't like it fine, don't use it. But do you not like it because you don't understand it? Or have you been beaten to death with horror stories and now you can't think logically?
Now maybe there's a geneticist out there about to make me his whipping boy and tell me all the reasons I am wrong. Fine, forget what I said above and answer me this...Have you personally ever experienced a TH/PHA lethality out of a cow you own?
If yes....
In the history of your operation how many TH/PHA deformed and dead calves have you had? What percentage of your lifetime calf death loss is attributable to TH/PHA?
For fun...
In the history of your operation how many calves have you lost to scours? Lightning? Coyotes?
Have you started an internet movement to cure scours, install lighting rods in all pastures, and eradicate coyotes yet???
I'm not trying to start a riot, just throwing out a different perspective.
The difference between a genetic "mutation", such as double muscling, and a genetic "defect" like TH is............?
Nothing. Not really anyway. Maybe the guy who is behind the computer. They are both mutations. Subjectivity decides whether these mutations are "good" or "evil", and human nature is to classify them before we understand them. Now, I know the first argument will be that any lethal mutation is bad. Point taken, score one for that viewpoint, I agree. But some mutations have been classified as negative, selected against, and then later found to have value.
I would argue that immediate dismissal of these cattle as culls is shortsighted and naive. Evolution and genetic progress are driven by mutations. These are tools at your disposal to make better cattle. Obviously lethality is not the only thing involved in this mutation. Some say it is hair, bone size, etc. I think most would agree there is a phenotypic value or characteristic associated with these mutations. The fact is if there were no redeeming attributes to these animals, this problem would have taken care of itself years ago as the Maine Assoc. predicted.
Point: If you don't like it fine, don't use it. But do you not like it because you don't understand it? Or have you been beaten to death with horror stories and now you can't think logically?
Now maybe there's a geneticist out there about to make me his whipping boy and tell me all the reasons I am wrong. Fine, forget what I said above and answer me this...Have you personally ever experienced a TH/PHA lethality out of a cow you own?
If yes....
In the history of your operation how many TH/PHA deformed and dead calves have you had? What percentage of your lifetime calf death loss is attributable to TH/PHA?
For fun...
In the history of your operation how many calves have you lost to scours? Lightning? Coyotes?
Have you started an internet movement to cure scours, install lighting rods in all pastures, and eradicate coyotes yet???
I'm not trying to start a riot, just throwing out a different perspective.
