[ SHOWGSD-L ] from the Canine Health Foundation (AB 1634)
- From: Peggy <pmick12@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd list <Showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:03:08 -0400
From another list with permission to cross post, and shared by Peggy
The following is a letter from Wayne Ferguson
President, AKC Canine Health Foundation
June 22, 2007
The Honorable Sam Aanestad
California State Senate
State Capitol
Room # 2054
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Senator Aanestad,
I am writing you today because, as the President of the AKC Canine
Health Foundation (CHF), I am concerned about Assembly Bill 1634 and
the detrimental effect it will have on canine (and human) research.
There are enormous possibilities in using the purebred canine in
translational medicine. The purebred canine is perfect for
translating research; humans share over 80% of our genetic makeup,
our environment, and sometimes our food with our dogs, so as they are
affected with close to 300 common ailments and diseases; we find
ourselves benefiting from canine health research. To limit the
purebred community through AB 1634 would pose a potential threat to
the promising non-invasive research we support.
CHF has funded over $1.95 million directly in California in canine
health issues ranging from naturally occurring cancers to cataracts
and everything in between. Canine and California-based human
researchers teamed up to work on neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in
Tibetan Terriers (of which, some California-based purebreds loaned
their DNA to the study) and its human equivalent, Batten Disease, a
rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects children. The results
led to revolutionary stem cell therapies in an affected child from
your home state. In addition, CHF funded researchers at UC Davis
are using stem cell work to advance the fight in Degenerative
Myelopathy in German Shepherd Dogs which is ultimately believed to
lead to advancements in people afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis.
California voters have already expressed their desire to further
stem cell studies (and backed it financially) through Proposition
71, statistically limiting the purebred gene pool through mandatory
spaying/neutering would curtail this hopeful research.
The people breeding and donating the DNA used in canine research are
responsible breeders. Mandatory spay/neuter will be ineffective
because it fails to address the heart of the issue: irresponsible
owners. AB 1634 will handcuff responsible breeders who are raising
dogs, it will affect organizations like ours, and it will eventually
affect monies being raised by the amazingly talented researchers who
call California home. I respectfully request that you oppose
Assembly Bill 1634.
Sincerely,
Wayne E. Ferguson
President, AKC Canine Health Foundation
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