Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> Heidi said:
>
> > > And I also wonder about genetic diseases and limiting the gene pool.
> > > Sure, cloning is expensive now, but that is the case with most new
> > > breakthroughs. Then eventually it becomes more affordable and more
> > > people get into it.
> > Very valid concerns if it process becomes common.
Kat replied:
> Actually, not a valid concern in this instance at all.  The purpose of
> this cloning was to retrieve genetic material that was lost by having
> gelded the horse.
Doing anything once or a few times is not the same thing as having it
become common.  So no, of course just doing it "in this instance" does not
make it a valid concern, nor did I suggest any such thing.  However, even
a cursory study of population genetics will show you what sort of effect
the process could have on limiting the gene pool if it were to become
commonplace.  You mention the limitation of the gene pool by overusing
popular sires--a very valid concern and an all-too-common problem in many
breeds.  Cloning popular individuals multiple times would have a similar
effect.

Heidi



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