From Technology Review's blog:
A new genetic test, marketed by Maryland-based MetaMorphix, can determine a dog's mix of breeds with 90 percent accuracy. The company has processed thousands of tests since the product went on the market in February, CEO Edwin Quattlebaum said at the Biotechnology Industry Convention in Boston earlier this week.
Because many canine diseases are linked to particular breeds, the results could help owners make health decisions about their dogs. The test has also garnered interest from animal shelters: shelter employees say that being able to provide a bit of a dog's "back story" encourages people to adopt. "Owners get a kick out of knowing the heritage of their dogs," says Quattlebaum.
It seems like this opens up some of the same medical ethics dilemmas that genetic testing in people does. And maybe I'm being a bit too negative, but when I read about knowing a dog's heritage before adopting, I think more about the flip-side -- that this will result in more dogs of mixed or less popular breeds being euthanized.
I'm surprised at that accuracy rating -- 90 percent accuracy at identifying only 38 breeds doesn't seem very impressive.
Update: In the comments, Angela has pointed to an earlier story in the Washington Post on the troubled history of MetaMorphix: Independent Biotech Follows DNA to Dollars. (Thanks Angela!)
Did Quattlebaum also mention they are $40 million in debt?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/15/AR2007041500701.html
This new "DNA test" is a scam, it's not rooted in good scientific analysis. There have already been several examples from known breed matings where they were incorrect in their findings.
Unfortunately, they are taking advantage of a pet market that is very much in need of this type of test, but you're right, the accuracy needs to be questioned.
Posted by: Angela | Monday, May 21, 2007 at 06:46 AM