What is DNA and why is it important? Genetic instructions are encoded in a special chemical substance known
as Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA). DNA is a molecule found in nearly every cell of the
bodies of animals and man, and is visible only with a special microscope. The bases
or letters of the DNA make up the sequence, and the sequence provides the information
that is passed from one generation to the next. Within DNA there exists the code
for thousands of genes. A gene, composed of DNA, is considered a basic unit of heredity,
and generally controls a given bodily function. When something goes wrong with a
gene, an illness or at least an increased risk of a disease or condition occurs.
Where is DNA found and how is it obtained? DNA is present in most cells throughout your body. Why is it important
to bank the DNA from my animal's specimen? Collecting and banking DNA from biological
samples for the purpose of conducting DNA-based studies is an important step. Biological
specimens that contain DNA, such as blood cells, need to be collected and sent to
Dogenes Inc. for immediate processing or long-term banking. With a source of
DNA "in the bank" on your animal, important research on the prevalence
of various inherited diseases can be determined.
What is DNA banking? DNA banking is a term that is used to refer to the processing and storage
of DNA so that it may be used at a later time (months or years later). DNA can be
obtained from cheek swabs, small brushes, used to collect cells from the cheeks of
animals. Samples collected in this way, are a reliable source of DNA to allow future
testing or related research to be performed.
What will be required to participate
in DNA banking? If you wish to participate in a DNA
banking project, you will be asked for the following: 1) Take 3 cheek swab samples.
Mail two samples back to Dogenes, and you keep one sample. 2). Pedigree information
on your animal to include all relevant clinical data on each member of the pedigree.
3) Health information survey to be completed.
What are the privacy issues associated
with participation in this study? Your privacy as an
owner or breeder of pedigree animals at risk or known to be harboring an inherited
mutation may be important to you. Dogenes Inc. is sensitive to this issue and has
taken steps to ensure your privacy and the confidentiality of your animal's data.
All samples and pedigree information will be marked with a confidential code. No
personal identifiers will be used when reference is made to these specimens. Identifier
information such as name (yours and/or your animal’s), address, etc. will be kept
in a locked cabinet, together with the code that has been assigned.
Who owns the DNA Bank? The DNA Bank will be owned by the breed club, but operated and managed
by Dogenes Inc. researchers.
Is there any chance that you may receive economic gain from commercial products that result from this project? No. Information on your animal’s pedigree or DNA may result in breakthrough information about the cause of disease or problems in this breed and may initiate new approaches for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The samples will be stored or kept with no identifiers.