09/22/99

NEWS Genetic testing for several canine vision disorders has reached a stage of development such that testing now can be offered to dog owners and breeders. Tests are now available for the prcd form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy in Labrador retrievers, English cocker spaniels, Chesapeake Bay retrievers and Portuguese water dogs, for the rcd1 form of PRA in Irish setters, and for CSNB - congenital stationary night blindness - in Briards. These tests are derived from Cornell University research and are provided by OptiGen, LLC. Full information on these tests is available at www.optigen.com and printed materials can be requested at genetest@optigen.com. Gratefully, Jeanette S. Felix, Ph.D. President and Manager OptiGen, LLC Cornell Business and Technology Park 33 Thornwood Drive, Suite 102 Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: 607-257-0301 Fax: 607-257-0353 E-mail: genetest@optigen.com Website: www.optigen.com. 

{ GENETIC TEST FOR prcd-PRA ANNOUNCED FOR TOLLERS }
2/01/2002

Ithaca, New York.OptiGen, LLC announces that a DNA-based test is now available for the only known form of Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) seen in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers - Tollers. PRA, a blinding inherited eye disease, is found in many breeds and is caused by various genetic mutations. With this new development, there are now tests for seven forms of PRA affecting sixteen breeds in total.

Unlike other prcd tests offered for other breeds, this marker test is specific for Tollers and results in a greatly reduced chance (0.05 percent or less) of false positive results. The test eliminates the guess-work from a breeding program with respect to prcd - the only form of PRA seen in Tollers which results in blindness.

Breeders will no longer have to remove affected and carrier stock from their breeding programs. As long as these dogs are bred to clear dogs, the risk of producing affected dogs is extremely low.

This new test, available world wide, resulted from research of Dr. Aguirre and colleagues of the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health at Cornell University. It was also made possible by the generous donations of the Van Sloun Fund for Canine Genetics Research to benefit the work of the Inherited Eye Disease Studies Unit; the Morris Animal Foundation; The Seeing Eye Inc., Foundation Fighting Blindness; NEI/NIH grants EY-06855 and 13132, the US and Canadian NSDTR clubs and countless members and Toller owners.

OptiGen, LLC, a private genetic testing laboratory, offers tests for PRA to breeders, owners and veterinary specialists. The test is done on a small blood sample obtained by a veterinarian. For more information about these tests and other new developments go to www.optigen.com.