At just three weeks old these kittens have already been reserved
The world's first specially-bred hypoallergenic cats have gone on sale in the United States.
US biotech firm Allerca says it has managed to selectively breed them by reducing a certain type of protein that triggers allergic reactions.
The cats will not cause the red eyes, sneezing and even asthma that some cat allergy sufferers experience, except in the most acute cases.
Despite costing $3,950, there is already a waiting list to get one.
Allerca first started taking orders for genetically engineered hypoallergenic cats back in 2004.
No genetic modification
It tested huge numbers of cats trying to find the tiny fraction which do not carry the glycoprotein Fel d1 - contained in its saliva, fur and skin - which produces allergies.
Those cats were then used to breed the hypoallergenic cats.
The company's Steve May told the BBC that it is a natural, if time consuming method.
"This is a natural gene divergence within the cat DNA - one out of 50,000 cats will have this natural divergence," he said.
"So candidates, natural divergent cats were found and then bred so there is really no modification of the gene."
The BBC's Pascale Harter says there could soon be a global market for the kittens - in the US alone 38 million households own a cat, and around the world an estimated 35% of humans suffer from allergies.
Even though it is a crazy thing, we are amazed. Just wonder, how safe can this messing with dna really be? What is the big blow that will follow...
A very interesting article.
Love and peace,
B&R
Man is just to obsessed with stuffing around with nature, it will come back to bite us on the butt..
Like all this crossing of animals, for e.g. a Tiger and a lion, the Liger, shameful, mockery of creation!
IMHO
Ch'erie
Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)
Reviewed on September 24, 2006
I'm still wondering how they managed that. Unless there is no skin, there will be dander. Unless these cats do not lick themselves to bathe themselves, there will be saliva that coats the hairs, dries and flakes off.
Judging By Piss On My Car Cover & Mag Wheels I Rather Own Rats At Very Least They Follow Set Pattern,i.e. Cats SNEAKY/FILTHY Like All Mexicanos Illegals Let Them Out Nites_
They'll Go Trash Bins Even Eat Dog Shit,i.e. Satans Pets...
I AM FOR AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS MAN Who Wants Feed Them All To KANGAROOS,i.e. I Get $MILLIONS$ I Will Start Importing Kangaroos Into 1st Place(WHITE-WHORE-HOUSE)USA...
interesting read, however, since my kitty kids are all the throw aways left out to fend for themselves i suspect the louts in town who own cats, do not spay and leave for me will not be buying these babies, thus i shall never own any. ahhhh chhoooooo
I see both sides of this issue as I am a cat lover (I am owned by six) and I also have a son with asthma. No, the cats do not affect his asthma in any way for they are not one of his triggers. It does seem like a frivolous waste of money but those who are buying them are the ones footing the bill I suppose..
Interesting .. no matter which way you look at it.
All cats lives are of the same value and they ALL need to be loved!!!
What are they going to think of next? First they put GM on the plant and the food we eat, and now they are doing GM on cats; next thing we know if that there will be "Genetic Modifications" on humans as well. GOSH!!!!! Why can't the US come up with something better to do than wasting money on this kind of experiments.
geez oh man, what next is right! At least all three of my sons-in-law will be relieved to hear about it ...
Thanks for sharing, Peter! I'll tell them.
Many hugs,
CJ
Despite costing $3,950, there is already a waiting list to get one.
Truly truly sad to me since there are already millions of homeless cats in the United States, and millions of them are euthanized every year because no one wants to give them a home.
And I would bet that some of these $4,000 kitties eventually end up in animal shelters, when their rich owners eventually tire of their novelty.
Puffy strays and something happens to make him decide he will never run away again. Judged "Outstanding" at the 2013 Writers Digest SPB Awards. Named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services 2019 by the Mom’s Choice Awards®.
Aberjhani
A very interesting article.
Love and peace,
B&R
Like all this crossing of animals, for e.g. a Tiger and a lion, the Liger, shameful, mockery of creation!
IMHO
Ch'erie
Elizabeth
Fee
They'll Go Trash Bins Even Eat Dog Shit,i.e. Satans Pets...
I AM FOR AUSTRALIAN CONGRESS MAN Who Wants Feed Them All To KANGAROOS,i.e. I Get $MILLIONS$ I Will Start Importing Kangaroos Into 1st Place(WHITE-WHORE-HOUSE)USA...
Go For It Peter...
Your Friend TRASK
Interesting .. no matter which way you look at it.
Myrna
Love Tinka
All cats lives are of the same value and they ALL need to be loved!!!
What are they going to think of next? First they put GM on the plant and the food we eat, and now they are doing GM on cats; next thing we know if that there will be "Genetic Modifications" on humans as well. GOSH!!!!! Why can't the US come up with something better to do than wasting money on this kind of experiments.
INSANE!!!!!!
Sandie May Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o(
Thanks for sharing, Peter! I'll tell them.
Many hugs,
CJ
Chrissy
Truly truly sad to me since there are already millions of homeless cats in the United States, and millions of them are euthanized every year because no one wants to give them a home.
And I would bet that some of these $4,000 kitties eventually end up in animal shelters, when their rich owners eventually tire of their novelty.