The purpose of the NBCEC commercial DNA test validation is to independently verify associations between genetic tests and traits as claimed by the commercial genotyping company using phenotypes and DNA from reference cattle populations. The genotyping company requests the validation of their claims and is responsible for genotyping DNA samples provided by the NBCEC. The NBCEC then analyzes the genotypes in conjunction with the relevant trait phenotype information to determine whether there is an association between the results of the genetic test and the phenotype for the claimed trait.
The validation process is a partnership of the owners of DNA and phenotypes (e.g., breed associations) and genomics companies, facilitated by the NBCEC.