In a bizarre turn of events, a pet DNA testing company has come under scrutiny after mistakenly identifying a human as a dog. The Toronto-based company reportedly issued a report stating that the sample they tested showed characteristics of being "40% Alaskan malamute, 35% shar-pei, and 25% Labrador." However, the sample actually belonged to Christina Hager, a reporter from WBZ News.
Hager had sent her DNA sample to various pet testing facilities as part of an investigative report. Among them, DNA My Dog identified her as a dog, while the other companies failed to provide reliable results. This incident has raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of pet DNA testing.
Geneticist Elinor Karlsson expressed apprehension about the lack of regulations in this industry, emphasizing the need for consumers to be cautious when dealing with such companies.
The global dog DNA test market, valued at $235 million in 2022, is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. However, incidents like these highlight the importance of ensuring the accuracy of testing methods.
On social media, the news prompted various reactions from netizens, with many sharing their own experiences with pet DNA testing. The investigation into this matter was initiated after a pet owner received erroneous results for his dog, leading to questions about the reliability of DNA testing in the pet industry.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough research and scrutiny when using services related to DNA testing, whether for pets or humans.
Source: hindustantimes
Photo: Getty