In Boston, the accuracy of dog breed tests underwent scrutiny by the WBZ I-Team, revealing unexpected results and raising questions about the reliability of such tests.
Elinor Karlsson, a geneticist affiliated with the Broad Institute and UMass Chan Medical School, voiced concerns about the lack of regulation in the commercial DNA testing industry for pets. Karlsson, who heads the Darwin’s Ark lab focusing on pet DNA science, emphasized the need for clearer standards in this burgeoning sector, projected to reach a value of $723 million by 2030 according to Zion Market Research.
The I-Team’s investigation, initiated last year, revisited commercial DNA testing companies by sending a human cheek swab from New Hampshire resident Michelle Leininger to DNA My Dog. Surprisingly, the results suggested she had partial bulldog ancestry, a conclusion met with skepticism by Leininger. Despite the company’s denial that human samples could yield such results, subsequent tests conducted by reporter Christina Hager, using her own cheek swab, returned similar unexpected findings.
Orivet reported that Hager’s sample failed to provide sufficient data for breed identification, while Wisdom Panel cited inadequate DNA for a reliable analysis. Conversely, DNA My Dog again associated dog breeds with the human sample, attributing 40% to Alaskan Malamute, 35% to Shar-Pei, and 25% to Labrador ancestry. Despite attempts to seek clarification, DNA My Dog did not respond to further inquiries.
Karlsson emphasized the potential benefits of pet genetics, including early cancer detection and tailored treatments. However, she underscored the need for caution, noting the ongoing challenges in pet genetics research. To advance this field, Karlsson encouraged pet owners to contribute to Darwin’s Ark, a public and anonymous DNA database aimed at enhancing scientific understanding in this area. Increased data, she emphasized, could facilitate breakthroughs in uncovering the genetic underpinnings of various traits in dogs.
