Only 40 Genes Separate Your Pet Dog From A Wolf

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11-22-2005 | Roger Highfield

[chuckles]

There are only a few genes separating fish, birds, humans, whales, cows, chickens, etc. This is just evo-hype to get you to believe we all came from pond scum. The trick is to get the genes in the right sequence so you won't have offspring more related to bacteria. It is also the main reason we should FEAR the gene splicers. I agree that wonderful things could come from jiggering genes, as long as we realize the consequences of a slight screw up. I was watching a show on nano bots the other day, and they talked about the "Grey Goo" syndrome. It was a nano bot designed to eat spilled hydrocarbons(oil spills). The only problem was a software glitch that happened when they self replicated and started eating all carbon based lifeforms. Just imagine "beneficial insects", disease resistant food, etc, to come up with all kinds of doomsday scenario's. We may start looking for that tomato that has a bruise, or an orange with a spot on it because the perfect ones may kill us.

Whole Foods is the only grocery company growing at double digits for a reason.

[Defiant]

I read an interesting theory that said that dogs may have domesticated themselves. They were wolves who started out by following humans and scavenging from their camps, and then got bolder and bolder, setting up nightly near the humans. The benefit of having wolves to warn when danger approached became obvious soon enough, and the people reciprocated by supporting the wolves, throwing them bones, etc.

Over time, the wolves that prospered were the ones that got along with humans and that were able to read our intentions. They were brought into the human camp, and then breeding changed them even more.

I had always assumed that wolves were domesticated when humans nabbed a few pups and started raising them, but some research indicates that that would not have worked, because the wolves had to change first before they would be compatible with people. Who knows, but it's fascinating stuff.

[aliquando]

The problem with a blanket statement like this is that not all genes are created equal. Some genes do next to nothing(i.e. influence hair or skin color. Other genes are "big picture" genes. They make sure our arms and legs end up in the right place, and stuff like that. Exactly what genes separate my dogs from a wolf, that is the question. Someone needs to start a genetics ping list.

[aliquando]

You don't need to fear the "gene splicers" just watch them like a 12 year old boy with a knife, a bike, a magnifying glass, and a boring afternoon. The insulin that anyone has been using since the eighties is human insulin generated by bacteria that were "gene spliced". I'm not trying to lecture you. It can be good or evil, just like most children they need parental supervision.

[geopyg]

I seem to recall a children's book and/or story about that man/wolf relationship. Makes sense.

[Chena]

I love that story! God loves all dogs. And as we all know, "God" spelled backwards, is "dog". ;)

When our elderly black lab was losing her sight, and then lost her hearing, she still came to us when we used hand signals and eventually she just "sensed" our presence and came to us, tail wagging as if she had spotted us a mile away and I swear she could even sense the smiles on our faces, and the "good girl" words we spoke. God bless Niki's soul.

[AnAmericanMother]

Terriers don't KNOW they're little dogs . . .

[Cathy]

My cats are in constant battle with our new pup - and the pup is learning to dodge the kitty claws and swat just like them.

We have more fun watching them fight!

[GBA]

Is it any surprise that conservatives tend to be dog people and libs tend to be cat people? Not from where I sit (with two springers curled at my feet). Life is better with dogs!

[ArrogantBustard]

How you see him:

How he sees himself:

Count on it.

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

You are right, terriers are truly a group of canines unto themselves.

We have had terriers from the large Orang Airedales, Welsh, and now the wire hairs and Yorkie. The wire hairs are jewels, even tempered and gentle, unless provoked, they then revert to breed. The yorkie is a 200 pounder stuck in a seven pound body.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Excellent advice.

Dogs will "seize the day" largely if they can (the strong 1s) - or if they think they have to (the wimpy dogs). Wimpy sappy owners = cuckolded humans = dangerous dogs.

Those who think dogs're somehow "better" than cats - due to temperament obviously, saying wolves are better too - fool themselves and obviously don't read the papers much.

[SunkenCiv]

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[N. Theknow]

Both are better than cats.

Add 100 pounds to your pet dog and he will still think you are the smartest person in the world and will lick your face to prove it.

Add 100 pounds to your cat and it will think you are lunch.

[Joe 6-pack]

To any dog owner who has not read it, I would highly recommend....

[-YYZ-]

Nice story. My old dog, Ruff, who died last year, was getting very deaf (he could just barely hear you if you shouted as loud as you could in a small room) and slowly going blind, as well. I don't know what I would have done with him if he'd gone completely blind. I've heard of people raising deaf-blind dogs from when they're young, but I imagine it would be very hard on an old dog to get used to. As it was you could startle him really badly by sneaking up on him - apparently dogs' alertness when sleeping is triggered by sound, which he could no longer hear.

[girlangler]

Sorry to hear about you losing your dog.

I lost one that was my best friend for 13 years. They are the most loyal friend one can have. I lost her in 2001 and still miss her. I even dream about her a lot.

Thanks for the ping. Good story.

[SunkenCiv]

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