Dog Slobber Could Be the Next Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment!

I am posting this from by wendtworth


Dog Slobber Could Be the Next Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment

Wet kisses from man¹s best friend could soon be showing us more than love.
Researchers have found that the DNA on Fido¹s tongue could be the key to new
treatments for rare cancers in both humans and dogs.

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Van Andel
Research Institute (VARI), developed the Canine Hereditary Cancer
Consortium, to understand why people and their pets get sick.

The study used saliva, blood and tumor samples of dogs volunteered by
private pet owners for testing in hopes that by studying canine cancer,
oncologists can determine the cause of human cancers.

³Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs. By studying the DNA of
canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes of disease
and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs, and people,² said Dr. Mark
Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program for Canine Health and
Performance.

The testing will be animal-safe, and is approved by the American Kennel Club
and Morris Animal Foundation. Funding will be supported by private donors,
and by a $4.3 million dollar federal stimulus grant.

Cancer is the cause of death for nearly 50 percent of all dogs older than
10-years-old.

"We¹re proud to be part of such an innovative approach that fully supports
our mission of providing total lifetime care for pets, and one that will
offer hope to people and dogs who are suffering from these illnesses," said
Phil Francis, executive chairman of PetSmart.