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Genetically Engineered Cats & Dogs Are they truly hypoallergenic?
Visit the company's website at Felix Pets (Transgenic Pets). Felix Pets wants to produce hypoallergenic cats through transgenetics (genetical modifying). More info:
The major allergen in cats is the glycoprotein Fel d1 that is secreted by the sebaceous glands. This allergen is found in the fur, saliva, urine, mucous, salivary glands, and hair roots of the cat. This protein is produced by the Fel d1 gene. The Allerca company (Lifestyle Pets) in California says they have developed a cat breed that produces a different version of the Fel d1 protein. According to Allerca, these cats no longer trigger the autoimmune system of people allergic to cats. The Allerca cats have been available since 2006. The New York Times writes: "At first, Allerca scientists sought a method to delete or disable the gene. But in testing to see whether the gene had been effectively silenced, they made a fortuitous discovery: A very small number of cats carry a mutant gene that produces a modified protein, far less likely to induce allergies. At that point, the research shifted course. Allerca screened thousands of cats to identify a population with the modified gene and then set those cats to breeding. Because the mutant gene is dominant, the breeding cats could be mated with normal cats to produce hypoallergenic kittens." (Oct 2006) These cats are very expensive. The cost of the spayed/neutered cats varies from $5,950 to $28,000 depending on the breed. Currently, only the Allerca Gd kittens (Shorthair) are available. They come in many colors (solid, mixed, tabby) and cost $5,950. According to the company's website, two new breeds, Chakan Gd (Siamese) and Ashera Gd (Ashera), will be available in late 2008. Update: Prices for 2008 have gone up. These cats now cost $5,950 - $35,000.
The
Sneeze-free Cat Owner book includes More info:
Allerca Dogs According to the Lifestyle Pets website, a genetically engineered dog breed, Jabari Gd, will be available in 2009. This small hypoallergenic dog will cost $15,000. In the photo on their website, the dog looks like a West Highland White Terrier (Westie) puppy. Update: Message on the company's FAQ page: "Because there are many more allergy causing proteins that are associated with dogs than with cats, we do not have any plans at this time to breed hypoallergenic dogs (puppies)." Update 2008: FAQ posted 5-15-08 on their website says: "We began deliveries of our Jabari Gd dog in early 2008 to great sucess." The new photos of the Jabari Gd dog show a different looking dog (brown with floppy ears). The price for a spayed/neutered dog is listed as $15,000-$21,000.
West Highland White Terrier
Do you already own one of these pets? Would you get one? Post your comments on the Allergic to Dogs? discussion board.
Here are a few links to Siberian cat sites to get you started.
Other possible "allergy friendly" cat breeds are Russian Blue, Sphynx, Peterbald (St Petersburg Hairless), Devon Rex, Donskoy (Don Sphynx), and Cornish Rex.
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