Back in July I wrote about allergies from pets and now one entrepreneurial company has -- using genetic engineering -- developed a cat that is "hypo-allergenic". Of course, there are several prices to pay... From the New Zealand Herald:
A sneeze-free cat is being worked on by scientists, aimed at animal lovers who are allergic to cats.A Los Angeles company, Allerca, is promoting its plans to produce by 2007 the world's first non-allergenic cat - a British shorthair - using patented biotechnology.
According to its website, the company will stop cats producing an allergy-causing protein found in their skin and saliva.
This treatment would not harm the cats in any way, it said.
Instead, the genetically modified US$3500 ($5100) cats would allow "some of the millions of people allergic to cats to enjoy the love and companionship of a household pet without suffering from allergy symptoms".
It says the non-allergenic cat is the "first of a planned series of lifestyle pets that Allerca will develop over the next few years".
Already taking orders for the first batch of kittens, the company hopes to sell 200,000 cats in its first year. Allergy New Zealand chief executive Natalie Lloyd said she thought the idea of a non-allergenic cat would appeal to a huge number of people.
Then again, if someone truly is desiring the company of a cat but is hopelessly allergic, then I suppose this is a solution. It's all rather complex and while most of you just read here without commenting, I'd welcome your comments on this issue...
I do think that there are some people who can't just take a pill, their allergy is so severe. If this allows them to have a cat, then that would be great.
BUT I don't like the idea of "engineering cats" either. If you put that with the cloning, then we're going to start mass producing cats, and when I look at each of my shelter kitties and think about their unique personalities, I don't like that idea at all.
Posted by: Michelle at November 2, 2004 01:42 AM