This is possibly a founder effect. New genetic variants found will be verified by sequencing and assessed for risk. One new variant, on an ARQ alle and apparantly neutral with regard to scrapie, is being sequenced. A panel of Icelandic sheep of each genotype is used. There have never been any scrapie cases in goats herds in Iceland even in goats housed with sheep.
Extensive use is made of insemination centres in Iceland.
The centres, which use about 40 rams each year are run by the Farmers Association. The Association and their consultants are interested in using our data to eliminate scrapie risk genotypes from their breeding rams. We plan to genotype the prion gene of about 20 breeding rams and about 20 potential breeding rams at the insemination centres each year. It is especially important to exclude rams with a risk genotype if they are to be used inside the scrapie infected areas. This service is paid for by the Farmers Association.