Online Course
Genetics for Preservation Breeders
Genetics for Preservation Breeders
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TBA Instructor Carol Beuchat PhD Scientific Director, ICB |
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** $125 ** |
This course has a prerequisite. See below (*).
Breeders are the custodians of a precious genetic resource that dates back tens of thousands of years to the beginning of our partnership with dogs. Starting with the raw genetic material found in the ancestors of the modern wolf, the dog has been molded through selective breeding into many forms that excel at specific jobs - guardian, herder, hunter, companion, show dog, and many more. Surely we haven't exhausted the possibilities, which wait only for inspiration to be created.
But many dog breeds are showing signs of genetic exhaustion after generations of strong selective breeding without regard to the health of the gene pool. Loss of genetic diversity has resulted in high rates of genetic disorders and the characteristic signs of inbreeding depression - loss of fertility, small litter sizes, high puppy mortality, failure to thrive, and shortened lifespan. Improvement in health is difficult in a diminished gene pool, and breeders find themselves trying to negotiate a maze of difficulties with no clear path to improvement. Several breeds have resorted to cross-breeding programs designed to introduce new diversity into the gene pool.
The best time to worry about protecting and preserving the health of a breed's gene pool is when it is healthy, and for breeds that are already struggling to manage a growing list of genetic disorders, the time to start is now.
In this class, we will work through assessing the genetic health of a breed, understand the historical and current circumstances that compromise genetic health, and design breeding strategies that will improve and protect the health of the population into the future.
* There is a prerequisite for this course: students must have taken at least one, and preferably both, of the two basic courses in population genetics offered by ICB - Basic Population Genetics for Dog Breeders, or Managing Genetics for the Future. Students that are currently enrolled in a required course will be allowed to participate in this course the first time it is offered in June 2016. After that, the basic course must be completed before you can enroll. You can learn about and sign up for the prerequisite courses here.
But many dog breeds are showing signs of genetic exhaustion after generations of strong selective breeding without regard to the health of the gene pool. Loss of genetic diversity has resulted in high rates of genetic disorders and the characteristic signs of inbreeding depression - loss of fertility, small litter sizes, high puppy mortality, failure to thrive, and shortened lifespan. Improvement in health is difficult in a diminished gene pool, and breeders find themselves trying to negotiate a maze of difficulties with no clear path to improvement. Several breeds have resorted to cross-breeding programs designed to introduce new diversity into the gene pool.
The best time to worry about protecting and preserving the health of a breed's gene pool is when it is healthy, and for breeds that are already struggling to manage a growing list of genetic disorders, the time to start is now.
In this class, we will work through assessing the genetic health of a breed, understand the historical and current circumstances that compromise genetic health, and design breeding strategies that will improve and protect the health of the population into the future.
* There is a prerequisite for this course: students must have taken at least one, and preferably both, of the two basic courses in population genetics offered by ICB - Basic Population Genetics for Dog Breeders, or Managing Genetics for the Future. Students that are currently enrolled in a required course will be allowed to participate in this course the first time it is offered in June 2016. After that, the basic course must be completed before you can enroll. You can learn about and sign up for the prerequisite courses here.
