Gene variant helps dog evade muscular dystrophy

Mutation appears to counteract genetic defect that causes muscle-wasting disease

SAN DIEGO — A Golden retriever that inherited a genetic defect that causes muscular dystrophy doesn’t have the disease, giving scientists clues to new therapies for treating muscle-wasting diseases.

The dog, Ringo, was bred to have a mutation that causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy in both animals and people.