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Committee advances pilot to test deer genetics for CWD resiliency; some sportsmen and wildlife groups oppose potential releases
Summary
House Bill 14‑17 would authorize a pilot to collect genetic samples from wild deer to establish a baseline of chronic wasting disease (CWD) resilience; proponents say genetic data could enable future interventions, opponents warn the pilot risks unintended consequences and carries fiscal and epidemiological uncertainties.
The House Natural Resources Committee advanced House Bill 14‑17, a bill that would authorize a DNR pilot program to collect genetic samples from wild white‑tailed deer to establish a baseline of genetic markers linked to chronic wasting disease (CWD) resiliency.
Representative Morris, sponsor of the bill, said current sampling focuses only on positive/negative CWD tests and that the proposed pilot would add genetic testing to identify markers associated with greater or lesser susceptibility. “The state of Indiana needs better data from our wild deer population,” Morris said, adding that test costs are estimated at about $75 per sample, a figure provided by LSA and consistent with commercial…
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