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Hypoallergenic Cats

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the good-use-of-science dept.

Lambticc writes "The BBC is running an article about how a US firm has successfully bred cats to reduce the production of the protein which causes an allergic reaction. Since the result was achieved through selective breeding, there should not be any complaints from the anti-GM lobby." From the article: "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 (£2,104), there is already a waiting list to get one. Allerca first started taking orders for genetically engineered hypoallergenic cats back in 2004."

9 of 215 comments (clear)

  1. Heh by B3ryllium · · Score: 4, Funny

    But when will they finally breed the North American House Hippo!? Huh? That's what I want to know.

    1. Re:Heh by Mistshadow2k4 · · Score: 4, Funny
      they already do, you can usually find them eating at macdonalds, or any other fast food joint. beware though, if they get ahold of your credit cards, they will spend it all at the mall, and some wont put out, till after you put a ring on thier finger
      Another variety sits around in its underwear all day, watching TV while drinking beer and refuses to help out around the house.
      --
      I dream of a better world... one in which chickens can cross roads without their motives being questioned.
  2. Re:Yes, but they are now shipping! by Psykechan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Get yours now from petsovernight.com.

  3. Re:Patents? by Duckz · · Score: 5, Informative

    You can only get spayed or neutered animals from them.

  4. Breading? by dmwst30 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hrm...selective breading of cats...wonder how that works. Extra crispy or regular? Corn flake or bread crumb or batter? How do they keep the cats from eating it?

    ("The BBC is running an article about how a US firm has successfully bred cats to reduce the production of the protein which causes an allergic reaction. Since the result was achieved through selective breading, there should not be any complaints from the anti-GM lobby." if they fix this one)

  5. 38 million households own a cat?? by stox · · Score: 4, Funny

    No one "owns" a cat. What they really need to say is that there are 38 million households where the cat(s) tolerate the presence of humans. In most cases, the cats will have trained their humans to fulfill their every whim.

    --
    "To those who are overly cautious, everything is impossible. "
    1. Re:38 million households own a cat?? by Bob+Cat+-+NYMPHS · · Score: 5, Funny

      kmdoibhau''an 97483ujrg vmcv

      Get off my damned keyboard you whiskerfaced devil!!!

      --
      The latest Slashdot meme.
    2. Re:38 million households own a cat?? by allanj · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've heard it like this:

      The Dog sees the Man serving food and water and generally taking care of it and loving it. The Dog concludes: "Wow, he must be God".

      The Cat sees the Man serving food and water and generally taking care of it and loving it. The Cat concludes: "Wow, I must be God".

      --
      Black holes are where God divided by zero
  6. Hypoallergenic by Registered+Coward+v2 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Interestingly, it's a marketting term - it has no legal meaning per the FDA, which is why cosmetic companies feel free to use it; they are not saying you won't be allergic to this or that any FDA approved testing has been done. Yet people think it means something so they buy hypoallergenic products.

    As one marketeer put it during a presentation - "My job is great - I sell a product that is 90% air and people pay a premium for it!!"

    --
    I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.