Dog gene offers hope for human disease cure

DOGS are proving yet again to be man’s best friend — this time in finding solutions to genetic diseases.

Sorting through the DNA of an Old English Sheepdog, an EU-funded research team from 12 countries including Ireland has discovered a new gene that is responsible for a serious respiratory disease.

The ailment, primary ciliary dyskinesis (PCD), affects one in 20,000 people and causes chronic respiratory infections. Identifying the gene should now make finding a cure easier.