White Dorper breeders and owners are hoping to eradicate a genetic disorder causing a lethal fragile skin condition among some of their drought-hardy flocks. The disease dermatosparaxis also exists in other breeds but White Dorper breeders are the first to opt for a mass flock screening program in Australia.

Scientists have shown that a protein involved in cholesterol metabolism may cause the accelerated onset of Alzheimer's Disease in individuals affected with Down Syndrome.