Other Genetics and Genomics Commons^™

Dna Fingerprinting Reveals Low Genetic Diversity In Gunnison's Prairie Dog (Cynomys Gunnisoni), Steven E. Travis, C. N. Slobodchikoff, Paul Keim

Genetics Collection

The use of molecular techniques for the assessment of familial relationships among social species of mammals has become relatively commonplace. However, some species represent poor candidates for such studies due to naturally low levels of genetic diversity, leading to unacceptably large standard errors associated with estimates of relatedness. Here, we report on a preliminary study of genetic diversity within two populations of a social species of ground squirrel, Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) using DNA fingerprinting. We observed low levels of diversity in the form of large mean coefficients of genetic similarity among individuals occupying the same population. …

Bad Ethics, Good Ethics And The Genetic Engineering Of Animals In Agriculture, Bernard Rollin

Genetics Collection

Genetic engineers have been remiss in addressing ethical and social issues emerging from this powerful new technology, a technology whose implications for agriculture are profound. As a consequence of this failure, society has been uneasy about genetic engineering of animals and has had difficulty distinguishing between genuine and spurious ethical issues the technology occasions. Many of the most prominent concerns do not require a serious response. On the other hand, concerns about a variety of possible risks arising from genetic engineering of animals require careful consideration and dialogue with the public. Such concerns are an admixture of ethics and prudence. …

Technology Transfer: A View From The Trenches, Harvey Drucker

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Dr. Drucker, who has lab-wide responsibility for technology transfer at Argonne National Laboratory, argues that transferring rights in discoveries made through tax supported research to private entities can contribute to public welfare in many ways.

Overview Of Federal Technology Transfer, Lawrence Rudolph

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Mr. Rudolph reviews approximately thirteen years of legal and political developments that have contributed to laws governing the extent to which private firms may secure rights in technology at least partly developed with federal funds.

A Standardized G‐Banded Karyotype For The Raccoon (Procyon Lotor) Compared With The Domestic Cat, Roscoe Stanyon, Francesca Bigoni, Johannes Weinberg, John Hadidian

Genetics Collection

We propose a standardized karyotype for the raccoon (Procyon lotor; 2n = 38, FN 74) and compare it with that of the domestic cat (2n = 38, FN 72). Numerous chromosomes (12) have similar and sometimes identical G-banding and 14 chromosome pairs have remained intact. Other chromosomes apparently differ by Robertsonian translocations and inversions. The conservation of these karyotypes is remarkable considering that the divergence of procyonids and felids predates 50 million years B.P. However, the common diploid number of 38 is not a primitive retention, as sometimes hypothesized. Instead, cats and raccoons converged on this chromosome number by a …

A Family Showing No Evidence Of Linkage Between The Ataxia Telangiectasia Gene And Chromosome, D. Hernandez, C. M. Mcconville, Michael W. Stacy, C. G. Woods, M. M. Brown, P. Shutt, G. Rysiecki, A. M. R. Taylor

Bioelectrics Publications

We have studied an inbred family in which two cousins presented with the same clinical features of ataxia telangiectasia (AT). Both patients are still ambulatory at ages 25 and 20. Cellular features of both patients are typical of AT and include increased radiosensitivity and an increased level of spontaneously occurring chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Linkage studies and haplotype analysis show no clear evidence that the gene for AT in this family is on chromosome 11q22-23. As previously reported AT families from complementation groups AB, C, and D have all shown linkage to this region of 11q22-23. Our study …

Book Review, Kristin S. Shrader-Frechette

RISK: Health, Safety & Environment (1990-2002)

Review of the following: ELAINE DRAPER, Risky BUSINESS: GENETIC TESTING AND EXCLUSIONARY PRACTICES IN THE HAZARDOUS WORKPLACE. (Cambridge University Press 1991) [315 pp.] Index of names and subjects, glossary, notes, references. LC 90-28112; ISBN 0-521-37027-2 (cloth $49.50); ISBN 0-42248-5 (paper $15.95). [40 W. 20th St., New York NY 10011.]

Occlusion Of Vision In Old English Sheepdogs, Michael W. Fox

Veterinary Science and Medicine Collection

The show standards established for many breeds of dogs have been linked with a number of genetically related abnormalities that can result in unnecessary suffering. The facial skin folds and shortened face of bulldogs, which respectively lead to chronic dermatitis and respiratory difficulties, are two dramatic examples. Likewise, ear-cropping is an ethically questionable mutilation that conveys no benefit upon the dog. Another serious welfare concern relates to a practice that is common among owners of Old English sheepdogs and other breeds with long facial hair: allowing the hair to cover the animal's eyes. This feature is considered a desirable show …

Genetic Adaptation And Welfare, J. Van Rooijen

Genetics Collection

Beilharz says: "The evolutionary processes, if they are not obstructed or misdirected, must lead to such a degree of adaptation that welfare will have to be taken for granted, just as we can do no better than to take for granted the welfare of any wild animal in its natural habitat." From this statement, one might conclude all we have to do is wait, and the animals will eventually adapt to intensive systems. Concerning animals put into new kinds of environments, he states that, if individuals do not have the capacity to adjust phenotypically, "adaptation of the population will require …

Genetic Adaptation In Relation To Animal Welfare, R. G. Beilharz

Genetics Collection

In this essay I outline the processes of adaptation of animals and of animal populations and discuss their relevance to the problem of animal welfare. Because "animal welfare" has many different aspects including philosophical, ethical, and biological, it is important to examine some of the fundamental issues that underly the concept. Hence, in this essay, I comment on how people come to "know," how information accumulates, and how what we know influences our actions. I also discuss the biological information that is relevant to animal welfare. It is my hope that, when this topic has been placed within a broader …

Studies Of The Lysogenic Response As A Function Of Multiplicity Of Infection Of Lambdoid Bacteriophages, Mark Floyd Fedyk

Masters Theses

The lambdoid bacteriophages λimm^λ, λimm⁴³⁴ and λcI are ideal subjects for the study of gene product interactions at the molecular level due to their closely related genetic makeup. Previous work in this laboratory has indicated the possibility that phage λimm is sensitive to phage λimm⁴³⁴cI gene product and that phage λimm⁴³⁴ is sensitive to phage λimm^λcI gene product. The purpose of this research was to determine if the frequency of lysogeny for phage λimm^λ is affected by the multiplicity of coinfection with the λimm⁴³⁴ phage. By comparing the graph of …

Research For Connecticut By The Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station

Storrs Agricultural Experiment Station

No abstract provided.

Cattle Breeds For Beef Production In W.A, J L. Anderson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BREEDS develop because people select animals for characters which are useful to them in their own environment.

Thirteenth Random Sample Laying Test : 1969-70, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

POULTRY RESEARCH STATION, WEMBLEY FIFTH PROGRESSIVE REPORT TO 30th AUGUST, 1970

Causes Of Low Lambing Percentages, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

West Australian Merino flocks average about 70 per cent, lambs marked each year. Reasons for this low percentage are that as many as 30 per cent, of ewes do not lamb, twinning rates are low and from 10 to 25 per cent, of lambs born die.

Among the research projects by the Department of Agriculture's Sheep and Wool Branch have been a number directed at the various stages of reproduction in the ewe. These have given some important leads on the causes of low lambing percentages.

If you have marked less than 60 per cent, lambs in the past several …

Twinning Increases Production, K P. Croker

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Many breeders claim that twinning causes too many losses among Merino lambs and does not favour breeding for twin lamb production.

But recent experiments have proved otherwise and agricultural scientists now agree that . . .

TWINNING INCREASES PRODUCTION

THE low marking percentages regularly recorded for Merino flocks suggest that the Merino is a relatively infertile breed.

Certainly, lambing percentages are low when compared with those of most British breeds of sheep.

How To Identify Twin-Born Lambs, G T. Halpin, P. Nelson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

IN the past few years it has become widely accepted that the ability to produce twin or multiple lambs is a heritable characteristic.

This means that breeding from sheep born as twins should give more multiple births and higher lambing percentages than breeding from sheep born as single lambs.

Lot Feeding Of Beef Cattle. 4. Cattle For Feed Lots, W J O Wilkie

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

BREED, age, condition, health, temperament and sex are all important in feed lot cattle.

Estimates Of Heritability Of Beef Cattle Performance Traits By Regression Of Offspring On Sire, C. J. Brown, Maximo Gacula

Genetics Collection

Data used in this study were taken from performance test records of Hereford, Aberdeen-Angus and Shorthorn sires and their progeny that were raised and performance tested at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station during the years 1951 through 1962. Heritability estimates based on regression of offspring on sire were obtained from 201 male progeny belonging to 20 sire groups. The estimates obtained were 0.19±0.19 for 120-day weight, 0.27±0.13 for initial test weight, 0.93±0.18 for test daily gain, 0.43± 0.18 for feed consumption, 0.41±0.25 for feed conversion, 0.15±0.15 for type score, 0.37± 0.14 for final test weight, and 0.79±0.18 for production index.

Identicial Twins : A Valuable Aid To Animal Husbandry Research, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A T a recent field day at Wokalup Research Station a set of identical twins was shown as being the start of a project to build up a herd or number of such, for research and extension work.

Famous Sheep Breeds. 4. The Border Leicester, J A. Mallett

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

ALTHOUGH the Society of Border Leicester Sheep Breeders was formed only 62 years ago and the first volume of the Border Leicester Flock Book appeared in 1899, surprisingly little authentic information is available concerning the origin of the breed.