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Wolf Dog Coalition - Scientists' Petition
We the undersigned believe, based on current scientific fact and opinion that:
1. Wolves and dogs are currently taxonomically listed as Canis lupus, dogs being separated as the subspecies "familiaris" (Wozencraft 1993) and that domestic dogs are in fact gray wolves, differing from wolves by simple changes in developmental rate and timing.
2. Wolves and dogs are very closely related and can't be genetically distinguished from one another on a species level by any DNA based techniques available at the present time (Wayne and O'Brien 1987, Wayne et. al 1992, and Wayne 1993)
3. Due to the similarity in genetic identity and similarity in IgG antibody (Federoff unpublished data) between wolves and dogs, both should respond to rabies vaccines in a similar manner.
4. With the above tenets in mind, it would be scientifically feasible to assume that a canine rabies vaccine developed for use in domestic dogs would be equally responsive and effective for use in wolves, this same vaccine also being licensed for use in such unrelated species as horses, cats, ferrets, cows and sheep.
/s/ William B. Johnson DVM State Public Health Veterinarian, Alabama
/s/ Dr. Terry F. Krieger DVM, PHD Wildlife Veterinarian, Wyoming Game and Inland Fisheries
/s/ Dr. David L. Mech, PHD Wildlife Research Biologist
/s/ Dr. Erich Klinghammer Institute of Ethology - Wolf Park, Indiana
/s/ Dr. Raymond Pierotti, PHD Assistant Professor of Systematics and Ecology, University of Kansas
/s/ I. Lehr Brisbin, Jr. Senior Ecologist and Adjunct Associate Professor of Ecology, University of Georgia
/s/ Dr. F. Kueppers, MD Professor of Medicine and Microbiology/Immunology, Temple University, Pennsylvania
/s/ Dr. Stephanie Porter Molecular Genetics School of Pharmacy, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
/s/ Robert Scheinman Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center
/s/ N. E. Federoff Wildlife Biologist
References:
Federoff, N.E., L.D. Mech, F. Kueppers, and D.J. Briggs. Antibody response to rabies vaccination in members of the genus Canis. (In prep)
Wayne, R.K., N. Lehman, M.W. Allard, and R.L. Honeycutt. 1992. Mitochondrial DNA variability of the gray wolf: Genetic consequences of population decline and habitat fragmentation. Conservation Biology 6(4): 559-569.
Wayne, R.K. 1993. Molecular evolution of the dog family. Trends in genetics 9(6): 218-224.
Wayne, R.K. and S.J. O'Brien. 1987. Allozyme divergence within the Canidae. Systematic Zoology 36: 339-355.
Wozencraft, W.C. 1993. Canidae IN Mammal species of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference. Smithsonian Institute.
Copy of original signed letter is available upon request.
Contact The Wolf Dog Coalition (
psykowuf@erols.com ).