Deer Farmers Want to use Genetics to Address Chronic Wasting Disease in Senate Bill

Indiana Senate Bill 32 (SB 32) proposes allowing deer farmers to breed deer with genetic markers for resilience to chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness in deer similar to mad cow disease. While deer farmers support the bill, citing its potential to protect their businesses, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and conservation groups raise concerns. The DNR detected Indiana’s first CWD case last year, leading to restrictions on deer movement in four counties, negatively impacting deer farmers’ ability to sell.

Critics argue there’s insufficient scientific evidence that breeding for CWD resilience effectively prevents the disease, and fear it could still spread among both farmed and wild deer. Gene Hopkins of the Indiana Sportsman’s Roundtable and the Indiana Wildlife Federation oppose the bill, highlighting risks to the state’s dense deer population and hunting culture. A related House bill (HB 1417) proposes testing for genetic resilience without permitting breeding, but it also faces criticism for potential costs and resource diversion.