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Allerca Marketing Allergy-Free Felines

  • Nature, Wednesday, September 27, 2006 12:32 PM
San Diego-based Allerca is currently taking orders for $4,000 "allergy-free" pet cats. One hitch: Advance orders now stretch into 2008, with some customers offering to pay $6,000 to shorten the wait. Allerca founder Simon Brodie says he started by trying to genetically engineer a low-allergy cat, but during the early testing stages his team accidentally stumbled on animals that seemed to be naturally sniffle-free. The work has prompted strong skepticism from a rival company. "I don't think you can have a non-GM hypoallergenic cat," says David Avner, founder of Felix Pets in Denver, Colorado, which is attempting to use genetic modification (GM) to create low-allergy pets. Avner says that Allerca should publish data showing whether proteins from the cats' skin and hair bind to human antibodies in the test tube, a process that underpins the allergic reaction. Brodie stands by his product, which includes a fully vaccinated kitten and a complementary test for existing allergens in your home. "If these scientists are skeptical, and if they happen to be allergic themselves, come and hold one of our cats."

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