Mutation Found In Dachshund Gene May Help Develop Therapies For Humans With Blindness

I know, this isn't the usual stuff posted to the GB, but the hound looks so way cool, and besides, unlike all those gag pictures we've all seen, this particular digitigrade quadruped actually needs those goggles.

From Science Daily,

ScienceDaily (Aug. 10, 2008) — Cone-rod
dystrophies (CRDs) are a group of eye diseases caused by progressive loss of the photoreceptor cells in the retina. Researchers have identified a novel mutation in a gene associated with CRD in dogs, raising hopes that potential therapies can be developed for people suffering from these eye disorders.

Scientists test specially designed sunglasses to aid the vision of a dachshund suffering from dayblindness caused by inherited cone-rod dystrophy. (Credit: Photo courtesy of Frode Lingaas, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science)