LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
W e at VetGen would like to add our “two cents” to this letter address- ing the Fogel article in the February 2018 issue of ShowSight Magazine . The Fogel article is so full of mistakes and incorrect assertions that we hardly know where to start. Perhaps the most egregious error in the article is the assertion that DNA test- ing for the copper toxicosis (CT) gene in Bedlington Terriers has somehow damaged the breed rather than improv- ing it. The assertion is made that not breeding dogs testing positive for a CT gene, rather than improving the breed, has had the adverse effect of leading to an increase in dogs with kidney or autoimmune diseases. There are two things wrong with that assertion. One is that eliminating dogs for breeding who have a CT gene could increase dogs with other diseas- es. This makes no genetic sense. There is no genetic relationship between CT and the other diseases, thus the dogs removed from breeding because they have CT genes and the dogs left in the breeding pool are both simply random mixtures of healthy and other disease I n response to Jacquelyn Fogel's February 2018 ShowSite article (Becoming—When Opportunity Knocks...) the Bedlington Terrier Club of America stands by its ongoing commitment to the health and well- being of the Bedlington Terrier which includes DNA testing for Inherited Cop- per Toxicosis (CT). As the AKC Parent Club, it is our duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the purebred Bedlington Terrier. The Bedlington Terrier Club of America has and will always recommend DNA testing for Copper Toxicosis. The Bedlington Terrier Club of America has a wonderful ongoing work- ing relationship with VetGen Veterinary Genetic Services and appreciates the technology they provide. VetGen has been a partner in research and develop- ment with the Bedlington Terrier Club of America for decades. And there has been a great reduction of CT affected Bedlington Terriers using VetGen ser- vices (from approximately 75% estimat- ed affected in 1975 to an extremely low incidence today). Knowing the DNA of a sire and dam before breeding has almost eliminated the disease from the gene pool. The Bedlington Terrier Club
pre-disposed dogs. Which of these dogs are used for breeding has nothing to do with the dogs removed because of a CT gene. More dogs with other diseases may be observed simply because dogs are not dying of CT and living longer. The second thing that is wrong with the assertion is that the Bedlington Terrier breed hasn’t been improved by CT testing. When we started testing in 1997-98, 52% of Bedlingtons were affected with CT, many of them dying young from liver disease due to copper toxicity. In 2009, when we published a paper on this, the frequency of affect- ed was 32%, an almost 40% reduction in this deadly disease! We have just recently looked at our data, and the frequency of affected in 2017 was close to zero. There is still a 13% frequency of carriers, but the disease has practi- cally been eliminated amongst breeders who are testing for the CT gene. This is a huge accomplishment, and those who choose to downplay it have never seen a dog die of liver failure due to copper toxicity. The Fogel article implies that the CT testofferedbyVetgen isofnousebecause it is for the wrong gene. Nothing could of America has complete trust in Vet- Gen and the tests they offer. The Bedlington Terrier Club of America finds several unsubstantiated claims in Jacquelyn Fogel's article and her choice to “no longer support a test that has led to so many unexpected, negative consequences” is one them. For Jacquelyn Fogel, or any breeder, to no longer DNA test for Copper Toxicosis will absolutely lead to negative conse- quences. Also, Jacquelyn Fogel's asser- tion that “...after all that testing began, we started to see an unexpected rise in the number of dogs dying of kidney disorder and auto-immune disease— not copper toxicosis” is truly mislead- ing. Attributing health conditions that existed long before DNA testing for Copper Toxicosis was developed, to the actual test itself, is erroneous and factu- ally inaccurate. Furthermore, Jacquelyn Fogel does not represent or speak for all Bedlington Terrier breeders, even though her article makes several refer- ences to “we” as a whole group. The Bedlington Terrier Club of America can only recommend specific health tests but can not force a breeder to oblige our recommendations. How- ever, before being accepted into the American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit
be further from the truth. The original linkage test we offered in the late 1990s indicated that the COMMD1 gene was the “Bedlington CT” gene. In 2005, European researchers verified this fact and published a description of the pre- cise mutation responsible for the dis- ease. Since 2006 we have been offering a test for this mutation. There has been plenty of data pub- lished in studies around the world to support that COMMD1 is responsible for the vast majority of CT cases in Bed- lington Terriers. The Fogel article made reference to a new gene indicated for a small percentage of CT cases, ABCA12. This linkage was found in a study spe- cifically looking at “non-COMMD1 CT” as stated in the publication title. If and when a mutation is discovered and a test developed for this subset of CT cas- es it should be viewed as an addition to available testing and not a replacement. We will be developing a full article to respond to all of the incorrect asser- tions in the Fogel article. Dr. George J Brewer, Director and Founder of VetGen DNA Laboratory Rob Loechel, Chief Scientific Officer Program, breeders must certify that applicable health tests have been per- formed on all sires and dams of litters as recommended by the Parent Club and can provide proof. The advancement of canine health and well-being is part of the American Kennel Club mission and we partner in their mission. DNA testing for Copper Toxicosis is, and will remain, an integral part in breeding healthier Bedlington Terriers. Signed, Lucy Heyman, Health & Wellness Chair for the Bedlington Terrier Club of America Laurie Friesen, President of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America The Officers and Board of Directors of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America Diane Stille, Vice President JoAnn Miller, Treasurer Sally Schill, Corresponding Secretary Debbie Buckman, Recording Secretary Diane Pearson, AKC Delegate Linda Freeman, Show Chair and Board Member Sandy Miles, Board Member Laurie Zembrzuski, Board Member Howard Solomon, Board Member JoAnn Burtness, Board Member
186 • S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2018
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