Genetically modified cats a viable gift

Americans with pet allergies will have nothing to sneeze about when a biotechnology company based in California delivers hypoallergenic cats to consumers. The creation of Dolly was a success, and because the animals are not being bred for consumption, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will not interfere with the company's plans.

Cloning is evolving for the new millennium, but the very idea brings in a host of concerns and opinions. The ramifications of such changes, even if the animals are not released, will not be known for years to come. The idea of cloning your pet, genetically changing the makeup of your pet, or even the idea that you can change the gender of a child before birth is radical and people will need to ponder the ethics of the decision before buying into one of these schemes. Controlling the creation of another species is simply unnatural and can easily by likened to playing God, which will have many religious ethics groups up in arms.

Allerca, based in Los Angeles, has already started taking orders for these genetically modified animals, scheduled for production in 2007. Allerca has planned a series of "lifestyle pets," according to CNN. They are marketing to the 10 percent of Americans who suffer from allergies to animals, especially cats. Allergic reactions generally affect the eyes, ears, nose, throat, skin and lungs of those with allergies. Many times, animal lovers will choose to have a pet or be around animals despite the negative reactions their body has.

Cat allergen, a protein that is secreted by cat salivary glands and skin, has also been named as a cause of childhood asthma, bronchitis and general allergies. Allerca's cats will not cause any allergic reaction, making them a viable commodity in our allergy-loaded world.

Allerca will utilize "gene silencing" to prevent the cats from making this protein. The first breed planned for production is British Shorthairs. The cats should be ready in 2007. To secure a cat, consumers must deposit $250 with the company. The cats will cost a grand total of $3,500 each. Allerca's president is hoping that 200,000 cats will sell in the first year. And because the cats have been genetically modified, Allerca will spay and neuter them before distribution to stop them from breeding with normal, natural animals. The FDA will not step in because the animals are not meant to be eaten, and as such does not fall under their jurisdiction. The same company created a fish from the combination of a zebra fish and florescent sea anemone gene, called the GloFish, currently on sale.

Another genetic engineering company, Genetic Savings & Clone, also based in the sunny state, cloned two kittens from a Bengal cat. The company will clone a pet for any interested customer at a cost of $50,000. These modified animals are extremely expensive, but such is the cost of cutting edge technology.

And though the cats would be nice for those with allergies, it has been proven that being exposed to the allergen that the animal emits will cause immunity, but discomfort must be suffered until the body fully adjusts. There are better ways to have pets with changing their genetic makeup and paying thousands of dollars.