This article talks about a new technology that has been developed to reveal mechanisms underlying disease ecology in White-tailed deer. Molecular genetics and computer software now lets us see relationships between other deer such as cousins, aunts and uncles. Chronic wasting disease is a prion disorder where a prion protein is folded wrong. The disease is spread by contact with other deer or by sharing food and water sources. It is important to know the relationship among deer to see how chronic wasting disease spread in a natural population. The experiment that was carried out took deer from an area of high chronic wasting disease among the deer was a 133 deer from the same heard and two was not from the heard. In the heard 47 were first level relatives. Out of the 47 deer 13 had chronic wasting disease. It appears that kin ship is a factor that influences chronic wasting disease dynamics. In the future using the technology may help find solutions for the disease.
This article is a little confusing. I would like to know what results were found concerning the two deer that came from another herd. It was unclear what results if any were found. Also I would like t see the results of a study including deer from many different herds to compare this data to. I think this is a very one sided paper, which cannot be very scientific.
The new technology involved in this article is very interesting. It is hard to comprehend this new technology. I think it will be very useful in a wide array in future studies. To me it seems like something that might be useful if used in humans.
Brad
The technology that is being used to determine the relationships between other deer such as cousins, aunts and uncles is something that is really cool. I would never had thought we had the capabilities to know something like that. This technology can definitely be used to help humans find cures and to treat other illnesses.
ReplyDeleteChris F.
Ive often wondered if CWD has any effect on the edibility of the meat of the deer. I ask this because I enjoy deer hunting and know that there have been several reported cases of CWD in the area.
ReplyDeleteRoss
To answer your question Ross, you really should not eat any deer that could possibly be effected by CWD. As of now there has been no risk to humans, however, the long term effects have not been studied in those who have consumed it. However, those people do have to be monitored to see if they develop any strains of CJ disease. When hunting it is important to pay attention and watch to see if any of the deer may act as if they are sick. Also, even though no one does, it is important to wear gloves and avoid contact with bodily fluids while field dressing, etc. *Erin H.*
ReplyDeleteSo is the artcile specifically stating that chronic wasting disease is hereditary or is it influenced by environmental factors? And it also mentions that two deer in the study weren't related to any of the herd...Maybe these two brought it from their herd and it just spread amoung the new one? -----RJT
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