# Genetic engineers are building a sneeze-free cat for allergic catlovers. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 14, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316 "2005-04-14T17:57:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/1 "2005-04-14T17:57:12Z")
[From the New Zealand Herald of nov, 2004](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=3606207): > [@](#): > > A sneeze-free cat is being worked on by scientists, aimed at animal lovers who are allergic to cats. > > A Los Angeles company, Allerca, is promoting its plans to produce by 2007 the world’s first non-allergenic cat - a British shorthair - using patented biotechnology. > > According to its website, the company will stop cats producing an allergy-causing protein found in their skin and saliva. > > This treatment would not harm the cats in any way, it said. > > Instead, the genetically modified US$3500 ($5100) cats would allow “some of the millions of people allergic to cats to enjoy the love and companionship of a household pet without suffering from allergy symptoms”. At 4000 US dollars, would you buy one? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/2 "2005-04-14T18:41:20Z")
Hmmmm… how long does a cat live, on average? How much does a weekly session with a shrink cost? 100 bucks a week = 5,000 dollars a year for therapy. Vs. cost of cat who provides home-based “fur therapy” (3500 plus food). For a year’s worth of therapy, it’s a wash. For longer-term therapy, even a high-priced kitty is more cost-effective 😃 I’d consider it. I wouldn’t want to be the first kid on the block with one though - what if the scientists were wrong, or the kitty had a vile temperament? ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/3 "2005-04-14T18:49:01Z")
Question: I love cats like crazy, but I’m one of those highly-allergic people. I pat and hug and play with every cat I meet, but I usually pay for it shortly thereafter with red, itchy eyes, clogged sinus, coughing, and sneezing. What allergy medicines do cat owners usually take to deal with their cats, if there are any allergic cat lovers out there? And do the medicines allow you to have a cat and live in allergy-free comfort? ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/77aa72/32.png) [@Heart\_On\_My\_Sleeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_On_My_Sleeve)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/4 "2005-04-14T19:13:07Z")
> [@Mama Zappa](#): > > For a year’s worth of therapy, it’s a wash. For longer-term therapy, even a high-priced kitty is more cost-effective 😃 I like the cut of your jib. Plus, my husband’s allergic. If I had the $$ to blow, I’d do it. **Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , never got the chance to tell you before but I like your name. I don’t know about allergy meds, none seem to help my husband when he’s had a cat on his lap. We keep the cats in the basement (don’t worry, it’s finished and nice) and bring them up in the evening when we’re just hanging out. They come into the TV room, hall and kitchen, but they’re not allowed in the bedroom or living room at all. I hear not having carpet helps, too. I also vacuum the couch frequently. I know there are things that you can apply to your cat that supposedly help keep the dander down. Haven’t tried that. Brushing helps, but of course you wouldn’t want to do that yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Creaky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e68b1a/32.png) [@Creaky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Creaky)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/5 "2005-04-14T22:39:14Z")
Oh, man! Bring on them Sneeze-Free Kitties! I’ve been waiting all my life for something like this! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/6 "2005-04-15T02:50:24Z")
Wouldn’t it be nicer to just start building humans that aren’t allergic to cats? ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/7 "2005-04-15T13:00:02Z")
Ah, yes. Welcome to the future, where scientists toil year round to build better cats. Today, dander. Tomorrow, opposable thumbs. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/8 "2005-04-15T14:19:42Z")
I think I’d rather get a regular cat and a 12-year supply of Flonase. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/9 "2005-04-15T15:15:57Z")
My SO is allergic to cats, and I adore them. This could be absolutely brilliant! ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/10 "2005-04-15T16:00:01Z")
I was under the impression that Rex (curly-haired) and Sphynx (hairless) cats didn’t set off people’s allergies because they don’t shed. Was I misinformed? ---
**Author:** ![OhFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecccb3/32.png) [@OhFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OhFace)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/11 "2005-04-15T19:28:29Z")
**Flander** , there may be hope for a future kitty yet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/12 "2005-04-15T21:11:29Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > What allergy medicines do cat owners usually take to deal with their cats, if there are any allergic cat lovers out there? And do the medicines allow you to have a cat and live in allergy-free comfort? There are allergies, and then there are _allergies_. I’ve known people who claim to achieve Kitty Tolerance with garden-variety allergy medicines, but I doubt that their allergies are as severe as mine (or, from the sound of it, yours). I fear these Designer Cats will be the same way–fine for people with mild allergies, but not for severe. If they work even for severe allergies, I’d pony up maybe $1,000, but $5,000 is a little steep. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/13 "2005-04-15T21:42:00Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > [From the New Zealand Herald of nov, 2004](http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=3606207): > > At 4000 US dollars, would you buy one? Nope, still waiting for science to develop a miniature tiger. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/14 "2005-04-26T14:35:54Z")
Resurrecting this thread which is if not dead, slightly comatose, to mention: There’s a breed available now, called the Siberian, that is rumored to be less allergenic. A friend of mine has one, and supposedly it doesn’t bother her husband’s fairly severe allergies. Unfortunately she lives in another state, so I can’t simply move in for a few days to test out whether I can tolerate them. They’re pricey (700 bucks or so) but still cheaper than the designer kitties mentioned above. There are conflicting opinions as to whether they really are less bothersome; I imagine YISMV (Your Immune System…). I’m not rushing out to buy one of them, anyway. Not while we have _food animals_ (guinea pigs) in the household, anyway :eek: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/15 "2005-04-26T14:42:58Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Question: I love cats like crazy, but I’m one of those highly-allergic people. I pat and hug and play with every cat I meet, but I usually pay for it shortly thereafter with red, itchy eyes, clogged sinus, coughing, and sneezing. What allergy medicines do cat owners usually take to deal with their cats, if there are any allergic cat lovers out there? And do the medicines allow you to have a cat and live in allergy-free comfort? My father did allergy shots - and managed to live in a house with 6 cats and a dog. My SIL is currently going through the series - doesn’t seem to be working for her, but she still has hope. Susan ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/16 "2005-04-26T15:23:23Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Wouldn’t it be nicer to just start building humans that aren’t allergic to cats? Okay, so all of us with severe allergies just won’t breed. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/17 "2005-04-26T15:26:43Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Okay, so all of us with severe allergies just won’t breed. :dubious: Hey, that works for me! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/18 "2005-04-26T19:25:02Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Okay, so all of us with severe allergies just won’t breed. :dubious: I don’t think allergies are genetic I think it involves what you’re exposed to as a baby. A baby gets exposed to cat hair/dust mites/pollen/etc… and the immune system treats it as a threat, and gets “immune” to that “disease.” When that person gets exposed to it later in life, they try to reject that substence. I don’t remember if, to avoid allergies, you’re supposed to expose the baby to as little as possible, to avoid exposure to possible allergins, or if you’re supposed to expose it to as much stuff as possible, to mature the immune system, so it knows cat hair, etc isn’t a threat. ---
**Author:** ![Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a8b319/32.png) [@Spatial\_Rift\_47](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spatial_Rift_47)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/19 "2005-04-26T19:53:24Z")
No, you need exposure in infancy and young childhood. What happens is, you get the irritants in the body, so that the immune system can come up with antibodies designed to bond with the allergen. Then, when you’re exposed to it again, your immune system is all over it like white on rice before it can cause inflammation, irritation in your sinuses. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316/20 "2005-04-26T19:59:40Z")
Doesn’t work, had a cat when I was born, lived with it for 14 years. A few years later, as an adult, my alergies kicked in big time, now I get a _severe_ reaction to kitties. Don’t know the mechanism, but that ain’t all there is to it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-engineers-are-building-a-sneeze-free-cat-for-allergic-catlovers/299316.md?page=2)