Not only have great strides been made in human genetics but also in animal genetics. This is important because such genetic information is not only helpful to the animal, but it frequently can also be applied to humans.

A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine discussed how genetic research from one type of animal, the dog, has been helpful in better understanding the genetics of certain inherited disorders that are present in both dogs and humans.

It is generally easier to do genetic research on dogs than on people. Dogs reproduce many litters, therefore, more animals are available to study. Compared to dogs who are bred much closer, purebreds, there is more genetic heterogeneity present in humans. This results in a greater number of uncontrolled variables being present in people than in dogs. Such genetic heterogeneity or variables can make it more difficult to interpret the results of genetic studies.

There are many genetic disorders that affect the bones of dogs. Hip dysplasia is frequently found in larger dogs.

Another condition that affects the bones and is also present in both humans and dogs is chondrodysplasia. About 20 breeds of dogs have this condition and as a result they have disproportionately short legs. Examples are dachshunds, corgis and basset hounds.

By studying dogs that are affected with chondrodysplasia, researchers were able to uncover the gene that is responsible for this skeletal abnormality and also the chromosome where it is located.

This information is now being applied to patients with this condition by the geneticists who care for them.

Genetic studies are now underway on dogs who have other human conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, lupus erythematosus and narcolepsy, to name just a few.

But as gene research on humans has been helpful in understanding genetic diseases in people, the same is true of gene research involving animals.

Determining the genetic cause of a disease, be it a human or an animal, brings researchers one big step closer to finding ways to treat and prevent the disorder.

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Feingold: Animal genetics help scientists understand diseases

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