A "sneeze-free" cat that does not trigger an allergic reaction in humans has been bred. The ultimate designer pet has been created by an American firm which has used selective breeding to produce what it bills as the world's first hypoallergenic cat. California-based Allerca Lifestyle Pets, which plans to sell the four-legged friends in the UK for thousands of pounds each, said the breakthrough would provide much-needed relief for the millions of cat-lovers who suffer from feline allergies. But People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) accused the company of treating pets as "nothing more than designer handbags just to earn a buck". Cat allergies are triggered by a protein in the cat's saliva and skin flakes that are left on the animal's fur when it licks itself during grooming. An allergic person who inhales these airborne particles can suffer an asthma attack, itching, sneezing or skin rashes within minutes. Scientists at Allerca claim to have produced more than 20 allergy-free cats already by breeding over several generations, after identifying short-haired felines without the protein which provokes a reaction in humans.

The firm plans to begin selling the designer pets for £7,500 - not including shipping or quarantine costs - from next year and says it has hundreds of advance orders from across the US and Europe. The company's chief executive, Simon Brodie, said: "The personality of the first breed of hypoallergenic cat is playful and affectionate. "They make great family pets and are wonderful with children." Megan Young, the chief executive of Allerca, said: "For the first time, people who have allergies will be able to keep a cat without suffering. "This is a scientific breakthrough." But PETA said it was opposed to the designer pets.

View: Full Article | Source: The Scotsman

I wonder if it still pukes up hair balls.

Now if they would only breed a dog that does not lick its private parts whenever I have guests over.

Very interesting. I wonder if there will be any health problems in the breed due to extreme inbreeding or some undiscovered need for that specific protein.

This is pretty disgusting.

Im sure cats dont have a problem with it, so why not genetically modify humans to not be allergic to cats. Well the answer is because we regard ourselves as too damn important.

I wonder if cats can be allergic to humans?

I used to have a tom cat that had hay fever. His attempts to creep up on unsuspecting sparrows, by using long grass as cover, were always doomed to failure.

or, another way to get around cat-allergies.... Don't buy a cat in the first place if you are allergic to them.

this reminds me of , of the movie cats and dogs ..... i know at least some of you have seen that movie ....... cute and cuddly on the inside , but ofn the inside , GRANITE

yeah, but wat if u want a cat? this in my opinion is cool since people wont have to worry about an allergic reaction around their cat

Doesn't look like that cat gives a sh** either way if he makes people have an allergic reaction or not...!

Where does it say they genetically modified them?

Why is this so horrible?
Do people not realize that EVERY breed of cat and dog we have was selectively bred to fit specific purposes- whether it be a job, or striclty appearance reasons.
Cats and dogs are man-made animals. We domesticated wild animals and selectively bred for certain features.
If it werent for selective breeding we wouldnt have cats or dogs at all.
Why is it so terrible to selectively breed a cat that doesn't cause allergies, but OK to make a dog breed that herds sheep?
No matter what breed of dog or cat you look at, it was developed the same way that this allergy-free one was- through selective breeding for certain traits.

BTW... PeTA are the same loonies who are against seeing-eye dogs and eating eggs and honey. So of course they are not gonna support this since they are actually gainst the existence pets altogether.

I think its a great idea. People who love cats but are allergic can finally have a kitty companion

Please correct me if I am wrong, but they have modified the genes of the cat by selective breeding.

Edit: PS - I never actually said they GM'd them anyway.

Same as was done to create any breed of animal that has ever exsisted.

By being forced and monitored by humans for thier own benefit?

Yep. If you want an animal that looks or behaves a certain way, you can't expect to get it with out un-natural selection, or selectively breeding for desirable traits. Although sometimes this causes problems, such as when too much inbreeding is involved, it doesn't totally mess up animals. Good breeders want animals with desirable selective traits and good health. Selective breeding has defined what domestic animals are and should be ever since they have existed, it's nothing new or harmful to animals.