Allergen-Free Cats?
Two years ago, Allerca, a biotechnology company based in San Diego, set the tongue wagging when they announced an intention to develop the cats that have claimed not to produce the protein that causes people with allergic reactions to pet hair to experience swelling, watery eyes, respiratory distress, skin irritation, sneezing, nasal congestion and following their exposure to cats, and areas where reside.Now cats, according to the company of Southern California, are ready to provide first cat allergens in the world. In June 2006, Allerca announced that it has successfully bred cats, which they claim are "allergens" because of the absence of the FEL D1 protein known as. A protein that occurs only in cats, FEL D1 is found in the hair of cats', saliva, urine, and glands of the skin, according to New Scientist news service. Moreover, they add, the FEL D1 protein adheres to furniture, carpets, and clothing, in triggering allergy sufferers, even in the absence of cats. Claiming that has made the new breed of cat allergens through a process called genetic divergence, Allerca announced that they are ready to deliver the new cats to the public in 2007. Explaining that the genetic divergence (GD) is a scientific method to produce the cat allergens, identifying cats that have naturally much less than the normal amount of FEL D1, and through several generations of breeding with other cats in the same way FEL D1 deficient until, according to Allerca, which produced a breed of cat that actually lacks the protein that causes allergies and are virtually free of allergens. The biotechnology company also claims that this new science is fully human. According to the website Allerca, they "focused on natural genetic differences (GD) already present in cats that do no harm to cats in any way." They asked questions that have produced the world's first allergen-free cats were met with mixed review. In an interview with New Scientist, Robert Wood, director of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, confirmed that some cats are, in fact, known to be very low allergen producers, producing about one-thousandth the FEL D1 of a normal cat. However, Wood also warned that many people suffer from allergic reactions to cats are particularly sensitive to exposure to allergens, and that reducing the source of allergens that can dramatically eliminate allergic reactions in some sensitive people. Moreover, according to Wood, about 10% of people who suffer allergic reactions to cats are allergic to a different protein, known as the cat albumin, which is released into the urine. According to their website, however, these cats new allergens are "the world's first scientifically proven hypoallergenic cats" and that "will allow some of the millions of people with feline allergies to finally enjoy the love and company a household pet without suffering from allergy symptoms. "Allerca cats are offering consumers a huge $ 3,950 a piece, plus a $ 995 processing and transportation fee. If you suffer from allergic reactions to cats and their environments and have longed for a furry feline for a bit 'of your own, there may be a possibility on the horizon that will provide you with the opportunity to cuddle a bit' fluffy allergens kitty of your own, but will not be cheap.