February 13, 2004, Hour One: AAAS Remote: The Evolution of Dogs

Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > February > February 13, 2004:
Hour Two: AAAS Remote: The Evolution of Dogs

Hounds, terriers, beagles, boxers, shepherds, schnauzers, and mutts. Perhaps no other species of animal comes in as many shapes and sizes as our best friend--the dog.

In this hour, we'll look at the genetics and evolution of the dog. How and when did dogs diverge from their wild ancestors? And what role have humans played in shaping the dog genome? Plus, what can we learn about human diseases by studying the canine genome?

We'll also take a look at the unique relationship dogs have with people. They were the first domesticated animal to move in with humans.What has allowed us to live together so successfully? What can studying the dog genome tell us about the evolution of dogs? Can we learn about human diseases by studying canines? And why are dogs and humans able to live together so successfully?

We'll also talk about research announced this week regarding human cloning. A team of scientists in South Korea reports that they have successfully cloned human embryos, and extracted pluripotent embryonic stem cells from them. The researchers say they did the work to further research into therapeutic cloning, there was no way to technically separate the process they used from one that would be needed for reproductive human cloning.

We're broadcasting this week from the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle, Washington. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

Guests:
Donald Kennedy
Editor-in-Chief
Science Magazine
Washington, DC

Elaine Ostrander
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, Washington

Gordon Lark
Professor of Biology
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Brian Hare
Department of Anthropology
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachussetts

Robert Wayne
Department of Organismic Biology, Ecology, and Evolution
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California

This segment produced by Annette Heist and Trevor Thieme

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