Allerca, Inc., a San Diego-based company formed to create genetically-modified pets, may have a solution for millions of people who like cats but are allergic to them.
The company says it has created its first litter of hypoallergenic kittens, which could allow people with feline allergies to enjoy cats without the debilitating side effects.
Allerca says it will sell its modified kittens for $3,950 each in the US. Pricing for other countries is still to be determined.
In recent trials, volunteers with cat allergies were exposed to Allercas genetically-modified cats and showed no ill effects, the company reported, but when exposed to regular cats, people suffered allergic reactions, such as swollen eyes, difficulty in breathing and hives.
The company says its hypoallergenic cats eliminate the allergen at the source through genetic technology. Allerca focused on naturally-occurring genetic divergences in cats, it says, specifically targeting the gene responsible for the production of the common cat allergen.
Then Allerca detected minute variations in the feline genome and coerced specific genes toward the desired result.
Company President Simon Brody said orders are being taken solely though the companys website and that kitten delivery is already very limited through 2007. Anyone ordering probably can expect a wait of at least one year while the process unfolds, Brody said.
Posted: May 4, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST