Here Kitty Kitty!!Cat genes could hold vital clues to treatments for human diseases

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/24/cat-genes-clues-treatments-asthma-diabetes
<snip>
Scientists have recruited a new ally in their battle to fight disease: domestic moggies. They believe the genetic profiles of cats contain crucial clues about diseases to which humans and felines are both susceptible. These illnesses include diabetes, asthma and some causes of blindness.

To exploit the connection, researchers have launched a genome sequencing project, called 99 Lives, which aims to determine the exact genetic profiles of 99 domestic cats. The results should provide them with data that could generate new medicines for treating both cats and humans for such illnesses, they say. In addition, the project should provide data that will help zoologists track down the evolutionary origins of the domestic cat.

“Until now, genetic research on humans’ companion animals – pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits – has concentrated, almost exclusively, on dogs,” said Stephen O’Brien, a geneticist

An example of this shared susceptibility to disease is provided by polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a key cause of renal failure in cats and in elderly people.

[hifiguy]

1. Just having a cat around is good for hoomins.

Yay, kittehs!

[Cleita]

2. I hope this doesn't lead to a new industry of lab cats, that are

kept in cages, without ever seeing the light of day, to be experimented on.

[malaise]

3. Ditto but I don't remember them caging the dogs

so I'm hopeful

[Cleita]

4. They did. My mom worked at the UCLA Med Center back in the

sixties close to the research labs. Not only did they have mice and rats, but monkeys, cats and dogs. She got especially upset over a German Shepherd that they were doing heart experiments on. The dog was gentle and apparently had once had a family. She would take it little treats that they allowed, but they kept on operating on it trying out different experiments until the poor thing finally died on the operating table.

[malaise]

5. Humans are the worst animals on the planet

Seriously

[2naSalit]

6. Me too. n/t