if we were to choose IVF later on, my husband and I would definitely have ourselves screened first.
I second that!
Almost every Ashkenazi couple I know have themselves tested for Tay Sachs before deciding to have kids.
It's too horrible to live through to take the chance.
I can't have kids, but if we were to choose IVF later on, my husband and I would definitely have ourselves screened first.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay-Sachs_disease#Screening_success_with_Ashkenazi_Jews
-Nicole
I remember reading about that, but I could not remember the name. Like I said, that is the smart thing to do. Unfortunately, my family seems to be ruled by their hearts more than their heads. I decided a long time ago to adopt children.
I am happy I found this forum and took the advice of Pat and some other knowledgeable folks on this site, otherwise I wouldn't have found my lovely and perfect Manah dog from Khani's. And I am so looking forward to getting my new puppy Uzza (Manah's niece) in a couple weeks!!!!
I am happy I found this forum and took the advice of Pat and some other knowledgeable folks on this site, otherwise I wouldn't have found my lovely and perfect Manah dog from Khani's. And I am so looking forward to getting my new puppy Uzza (Manah's niece) in a couple weeks!!!!
How cool is that… can't wait to see pictures...
I am happy I found this forum and took the advice of Pat and some other knowledgeable folks on this site, otherwise I wouldn't have found my lovely and perfect Manah dog from Khani's. And I am so looking forward to getting my new puppy Uzza (Manah's niece) in a couple weeks!!!!
That's great news. 
We also have to understand that we don't even go these lengths within our own species (at least the majority of parents). Lots of people have children even though they are aware of "genetic defects", yet they still find a way to love them. You have to find a balance between perfection and enjoyment. Obviously Fanconi is a big concern, I will not downplay that, but other things that are not life threatening can be managed. We do it with ourselves (no one here is perfectly healthy) and find a way to live our lives.
What a very interesting analogy between humans and our beloved Basenji's.
Many of us here love our dogs at least as much as others love their human children. The extent to which we go to protect and love our pets would appear to know no bounds in many cases. We fight for their health and admonish others to do the same with a great passion as can be seen on many of the forum topics such as this one. A pure breed basenji with all bad traits carefully and selectively removed. It is for the greater good, to keep the line pure without defect.
Now lets flip this to the human side.
A little man called Adolf Hitler also had a passion for a pure Aryan race. Breeding for blue eyed blond haired white boys and girls. In practice this would most likely produce a superior human in many physical respects. Not allowing inferior races with genetic defects to breed or interbreed would insure the survival and dominance of this race. Imagine how fit and healthy this race would be. No heart conditions to shorten their lives in fact no conditions at all just healthy long living humans.
So what was so wrong about this seemingly logical goal that the rest of the world came to war and millions died. The problem was???well the rest of the world. You may have noticed the we are mostly NOT of the Aryan race. Sucks to be us in an Aryan world.
What is my point??.well I do not have a point really just an interesting observation. I love the B?s and testing for diseases and defects is a must but who draws the line at where we stop. I only like the reds so all others should be banned (not really).Who says we are cruel to extend the life of our dogs if they are badly injured or sick and in pain yet these same people say a human in the same position must not have the choice but must suffer to the last. The world is made up of lines and everyone must make their own decision where that line is drawn. The problems occur when your line crosses mine or the other way around. It is not where the line is drawn that causes the problem but how we react to that line which is not where we would like to see it.
I am happy I found this forum and took the advice of Pat and some other knowledgeable folks on this site, otherwise I wouldn't have found my lovely and perfect Manah dog from Khani's. And I am so looking forward to getting my new puppy Uzza (Manah's niece) in a couple weeks!!!!
That's awesome! Is she a B/W too?
The world is made up of lines and everyone must make their own decision where that line is drawn. The problems occur when your line crosses mine or the other way around. It is not where the line is drawn that causes the problem but how we react to that line which is not where we would like to see it.
Well said. 
Yes, Uzza is a b/w girl too.
I've found a relative of Kai's… on this forum!
bellabasenji also has a B from the breeder we are getting Kai from:D
I am sorry to have caught up with this discussion so late. I have not been on the forums for some time. I do think our dogs came from the same "breeder." I love my girl and she was a gift to me from my husband. She was purchased from a pet store. She is a BYB dog, I discovered after some research. I haven't had any trouble with fanconi yet (hopefully not ever). Bella does have a luxating patella, which is nearly always inherited. Good breeders know better than to breed dogs with this defect… I would not purchase a basenji through a pet store or BYB again, knowing what I know now. I would go through a reputable breeder or rescue group. But I still wouldn't trade her for the world!
I would like to know what has happened with Kai. I miss the people who sigh and walk away.
I would like to know what has happened with Kai. I miss the people who sigh and walk away.
yes i know what you mean, i too wonder about people and their pets who have been here
