OFA Clear By Parentage Policy
As a greater number of DNA based disease tests become available, a policy regarding the clearing of offspring out of DNA tested parents has become necessary.
For direct mutant gene tests only, the OFA will issue clearances to untested offspring:
- If the sire and dam have both been DNA tested “Clear,”
- If the sire and dam’s DNA disease test results have been OFA registered, and
- If all three (sire/dam/offspring) have been DNA identity profiled and parentage verified.
The DNA profile paperwork must be submitted along with a completed OFA DNA-based disease test application. The resulting OFA certification will have a suffix of “CBP” (clear by parentage), indicating that the dog itself was not tested and that the clearance was based on the sire and dam’s test results, and known science at the time. Because of the possibility of new mutations or as of yet undiscovered gene mutations, only first generation offspring will be cleared.
For linkage or marker based tests where a margin of error including both false positives and negatives exists, the OFA will not issue any clearances to untested dogs.
DNA based disease screening is an evolving area. This policy is subject to change by action of the OFA Board of Directors as technology and science advance.
