Dr. Wade Shafer, American Simmental Assoc., recently presented an interesting paper at the Animal Science Annual Meeting on the use of DNA technology in genetic selection. Following is a brief summary (Shafer. 2005. J. Anim. Sci. 83 [Suppl. 1]: 326).

• Given their widespread acceptance, EPDs provide the most rational format to deliver DNA test results to breeders.
• Before incorporating DNA information into EPDs, mechanisms to fully account for interaction among alleles should be developed. Unfortunately, for the foreseeable future, the expansion of commercially available DNA tests will likely outstrip the development of such mechanisms.
• The incessant exposure of cattle breeders to the promise of DNA technologies makes them prone to placing undue emphasis on DNA test results at the expense of EPDs, which ultimately runs the risk of undermining genetic improvement.
• Educational efforts should emphasize the importance of breeder contribution in developing a DNA database, while discouraging the overuse of test results until they can be integrated into an adequate EPD infrastructure.