DNA Testing for Dogs is a Crazy Idea

September 26th, 2008

Recently I was talking to a friend of mine about DNA testing and how cities are drafting laws that would require DNA testing of your dog in order for you to keep it or not. In short, this is insane. Why? Because DNA testing is not exact and the HSUS and other organzations lie about how accurate they are. The only thing DNA testing can say for sure is, yes, the DNA came from your dog.

I had a dog training client DNA test his dog and the results came back 50% Rottweiler and some sort of retriever. The dog looked a lot like a Pit Bull to me and to him. He asked for a second test but I do not know how that turned out. Regardless he was no closer to finding out if his shelter dog was a purebred American Pit Bull Terrier or simply a mutt than before the test.

DNA is also sneaky in the fact that almost always they ask you to sign a waiver that gives the ownership of the DNA to the testing company. Now take a moment and really think about the ramifications of that.

They could, sell your dog’s DNA to a medical research company. They could, clone your dog. They could, patent a specific sequence and your dog would no longer be your dog because they now own it’s DNA. Sounds crazy right? It does but it can happen.

Once the DNA is in the ownership of the company then who’s to say what they will do with it? Me, I would not sign over the rights to my dog’s DNA for any reason at all. As a side note, they do this when they test kids for parentage etc… Think about that, someone owning a child’s DNA sequence. Same ramifications apply here too. Well, it’s not likely they would clone your kid because that is illegal, however, selling the DNA to research companies and other places is possible.

DNA testing is also a way for cities to ban your dog as well. They will use these results to prove your dog is XYZ percent Pit Bull and then you are in a world of trouble. The point here is, DNA is not that accurate as to determine exact breed.

DNA testing opens up a lot of crazy doors.

Until Next Time,
Jason, Angel CGC/CTD, Honey and Patch CGC
The Most Complete Pit Bull Web Site Online

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