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Scientists Decode Cat DNA

by Heather on November 5th, 2007

Scientists have decoded a Missouri cat’s DNA, hoping that it might help in the search for feline treatments, which could benefit humans as well. They’ve already decoded dogs, chimps, rats, mice, cows and of course, people. Why cats?

They get more than 200 diseases that resemble human illnesses, and knowing the details of their genetic makeup should help in the search for vaccines and treatments, researchers say. The list includes a cat version of AIDS, SARS, diabetes, retinal disease and spina bifida, said Stephen J. O’Brien of the National Cancer Institute.

I’ll be very interested to see where this goes!

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