Scientists Are Getting Closer To Creating Truly Hypoallergenic Cats
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 27: Milly, a 13-week-old kitten waits with her brother Charlie (L) to be re-homed at The Society for Abandoned Animals Sanctuary in Sale, Manchester which is facing an urgent cash crisis and possible closure on July 27, 2010 in Manchester, England. The Society for Abandoned Animals exists entirely on public support and unless it can raise GBP 50,000 in the next couple of months it will have to close down. The registered charity started in 1967 and in the last five years alone the charity has rescued and found homes for more than 1,000 cats, 290 rabbits and 262 dogs. The rescue centre is one of the many who are suffering a downfall in donations due to the economic recession. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Anyone else’s dad or mom used to lie to them and say they couldn’t get a cat because they were allergic? Well that excuse soon might not be good enough as scientists are itching closer to creating a truly hypoallergenic cat.
Of course, there are hairless cats already that are recommended for people who are allergic, but soon there could be a truly hypoallergenic cat with fur.
Researchers at a Virginia-based biotech company InBio have been working on a new study. In the study, they used gene-editing tools to prevent cat cells from producing the protein that causes allergies. The results of preventing this gene might help lead us to getting a hypoallergenic cat.
Instead of creating a new cat breed, researchers want to ideally create a vaccine, so existing cats could become hypoallergenic.
Most of the science of this all is a bit over my head, but I think it is awesome that this could be a reality in the future. Jut think of how many homeless cats could find a home now that people wouldn’t have to worry about being allergic to cats.
Science is wild!
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