Rule 1: Genetic Defects: Policy and Rules
A. Genetic Abnormalities (Genetic Defects) are present in all species, which includes all breeds of cattle. Genetic Abnormalities are generally referred to as genetic defects within the industry. The abnormalities can be of genetic origin or of environmental factors such as nutritional or sickness related. The policy and rules that follow relate to those abnormalities that are deemed genetic. This information is published by the ACA as part of it’s open policy to provide information to persons breeding cattle that qualify for registry in the ACA herdbook.
B. Classification of Genetic Abnormalities - The ACA recognizes the following physical abnormalities as genetic abnormalities, however this does not imply that these are the only genetic defects that the ACA will monitor or test for in the future.
• Class l (Lethal, seriously disabling or having a negative affect on reproductive performance). (Note: These are not tied solely to “reproductive”, but a broad range of performance criteria or parameters.)
Tibial Hemimelia (TH)
Syndactyly (Mule Foot)
Spastic Paresis
PHA- Pulmonary Hypoplasia with Anasarca
Arthrogryposis
• Class ll (Non-Lethal)
Brachygnathia inferior (parrot-mouth)
Prognathia (Monkey-Mouth or Undershot Jaw)
Dwarfism
Rule 2: Notification of the Association
Any ACA member who becomes aware of an unusual physical abnormality in an animal registered, or intended to be registered with the ACA or in an offspring of a registered animal shall contact the ACA immediately. The ACA will take the following steps to confirm the abnormality and that it is of genetic origin:
• Provide member with ACA Genetic Defect Reporting Form, which must be completed and returned to the ACA promptly.
• Provide member with protocol for recording photos, collecting DNA material and submitting DNA material to ACA or an ACA approved lab.
• The reporting member must promptly comply with all ACA reporting instructions.
Rule 3: Genetic Determination Process/Cooperation with Association and Genetic Testing Lab
The ACA will direct all DNA material, photos and information collected to genetic specialist selected and approved by the ACA Board of Directors. The genetic specialist is responsible for determining if sufficient evidence exists to establish a definite cause of a particular physical abnormality. All ACA members shall cooperate fully in any investigation necessary to determine pending case. This includes providing DNA material on parents in question for DNA parentage verification. The ACA reserves the right to test any and all DNA material for DNA markers associated with genetic abnormalities.
Rule 4: Notice to Owner(s) of Affected Animal and Owners of Parents of Affected Animal.
Once a physical abnormality has been confirmed to be in fact a genetic defect and parentage has been verified, all owners of record within ACA herdbook of the affected animal and the owners of record within ACA herdbook of the parents of the affected animal will receive the following information via certified letter from the ACA:
• A detailed description of the physical abnormality.
• The recorded sire and dam of the animal in question.
• A copy of the genetic testing lab results.
Rule 5: Right to Contest Results
Upon confirmation that an ACA registered animal has produced abnormal progeny (at least one [1] confirmed, parent verified cases or has had a single positive DNA Marker test for a genetic defect) the ACA will contact recorded owner(s) of animal in question via certified letter (stated in Rule 4): The ACA letter will notify the recorded owner(s) of animal in question of the ACA’s intent to designate their animal as a confirmed carrier of a genetic defect.
Upon receiving the certified letter, owner(s) of animals determined to have a genetic defect recognized by these rules and determined by a genetic testing lab shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of the certified letter to notify the ACA of intent to contest said determination. Notice of intent must be in writing, signed by recorded owner(s) of animal in question and addressed to the CEO of the American Chianina Association. The thirty (30) day notification period may be waived by the owner(s) in which case the determination shall become final and the said animal shall be identified and listed as a carrier in the manner provided by these rules.
Any ACA member who may feel aggrieved by the ACA’s proposed designation of a particular animal as a confirmed carrier of a genetic defect may file a complaint with the Executive Committee of the ACA Board at any time prior to the designation becoming final. Furthermore, in the event that an owner of the said animal deemed to be a carrier of a genetic defect notifies the ACA within the thirty (30) day time limit with intent to contest the determination that the animal carries a genetic defect, the notice will be forwarded to the ACA Executive Committee of the Board of Directors which will promptly schedule proceedings pursuant to the proceedings set forth in Article Vlll, section 3(a) of the Association’s Bylaws, including the right for an appeal to the full Board of Directors.
Rule 6: Publication of Genetic Defect Information to General Membership
Upon final determination (Parameters set forth in Rule 3, Rule 4, and Rule 5 have been met) that an animal is confirmed to be a carrier of a genetic defect, the animal’s name and registration number will be published in the ACA Journal and on the ACA Website. The ACA also reserves the right to designate registration papers of proven carrier animals with a special code.
Any further notice or publication is the sole responsibility of the owner(s) and owner members of the affected animal.
RULE 7: Registration of progeny from known Genetic defect carriers from within the ACA herdbook or from other breeds.
A. As of January 1, 2006 the American Chianina Association will allow the registration of progeny resulting from proven genetic defect carriers from within the ACA herdbook or from other breeds.
B. Animals of other recorded breeds will only be recorded if they are being registered in conjunction with an offspring that qualifies for registry in the ACA herdbook.
Rule 8: Litigation Agreement of All Members
A. All members shall not commence any civil action, whether in law or in equity, against the American Chianina Association in any courts other than those of Federal or State courts located in the state of Missouri.
B. Following judicial review of any final decision, action or Rule of the Association contested by said member, whereby the member fails to have the Association’s decision, action or rule reversed, said member shall reimburse the Association for the attorney’s fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred by the Association in the defense of a lawsuit.
American Chianina Association Genetic Defect Policy
A. Beginning January 1, 2006 all A.I. sires, donor dams and cloned animals entering into or already recorded in the ACA herdbook must be DNA genotyped, parent verified and tested for known genetic defect markers. Genotype results must be reported to the ACA before offspring can be registered. Genetic defect testing must be completed and reported to the ACA before September 1, 2006 or registrations certificates of offspring will be held.
B. Animals previously recorded in the ACA herdbook that have been DNA genotyped or animals that fall under the terminology as an A.I. sire, donor dam, or clone must submit DNA samples for genetic defect testing and genotype verification. Owners of animals falling into this classification must submit DNA samples before September 1, 2006 or registration certificates of offspring will be held.
C. Deceased A.I. sires and or donor dams with limited or no DNA sample available for genetic defect testing will be submitted for approval by the Executive committee of the ACA board of directors and will be handled on a case by case basis with the board decision final.
D. Registration certificates will be issued on all animals regardless of genetic defect status (carrier or non-carrier).
E. Beginning January 1, 2006 animals that have been submitted for genetic testing with all aspects of testing complete, will have their genetic defect status listed as to carrier or non carrier status on the ACA website and in the ACA Journal.
F. The ACA reserves the right to conduct random genetic defect testing.
G. The ACA Genetic Testing Policy does not imply that cattle tested for (known) DNA Markers for genetic defects are free of all genetic defects. |
