In Other Animals
Transmissible cancer, caused by a clone of malignant cells rather than a virus, is extremely rare. The only other known types are canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT), which is passed between dogs via sexual activity and has been known to science for about 100 years, and contagious reticulum cell sarcoma of the Syrian hamster, which can be transmitted from one Syrian hamster to another by means of the bite of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. CTVT mutes the expression of the immune response, whereas the Syrian hamster disease spreads due to lack of genetic diversity. The mutation of devil facial tumour disease may mean that it could spread to other related species, like the quoll.
Read more about this topic: Devil Facial Tumour Disease
Famous quotes containing the word animals:
“He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no harm shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the wild animals of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the wild animals shall be at peace with you.”
—Bible: Hebrew, Job 5:19-23.