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  • From: sgilman <sgilman AT netheaven.com>
  • To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: GMO Cats??
  • Date: Fri, 29 Jun 01 12:53:04 -0400


Subject: GMO cats??
From: "Kevin Ancell" <kancell AT goodearthgardens.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2001 04:54:46 -0500
X-Message-Number: 2

Scientists to engineer allergen-free cats
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=80626

By Andrew Buncombe in Washington
28 June 2001

For those who love cats but do not love itchy or watery eyes, there could
soon be a solution. Scientists in America are developing genetically
engineered moggies that will not cause allergies - potentially allowing
millions of cat enthusiasts to become cat owners.

"We feel ... that by 2003 we will be able to produce an allergen-free
cat,"
Dr Xiangzhong Jang told The New York Times. Dr Yang, of the University of
Connecticut, is doing the work on behalf of a small company from Syracuse,
New York, which developed the idea.

David Avner and his wife, Jackie, run Transgenic Pets from their home.
"These are animals that are going to be loved and cherished and will bring
joy," Mrs Avner said.

Scientists say most allergic reactions are caused by a protein secreted by
the cat, known as Fel dl. To produce the allergen-free cat will require
knocking out the gene for this protein.

Skin cells from a cat will be grown in a test tube and the gene replaced
with a defective copy. The allergen-free cells will then be fused with egg
cells from which the genetic material has been removed and induced to grow
into an embryo. This can then be implanted into a surrogate.

Carol Barbee, president of the American Cat Fanciers Association, said
many
people would welcome such cats. But she warned: "If they end up with
something that is not a cat, that's not fine."


Hello,

According to the New York Times article (6/27/01) the biotech
procedures will silence the gene that produces the allergenic protein,
then fuse the allergen-free cells with egg cells that also has the
genetic material removed, induce the egg to grow into an allergen-free
embryo, and implant the clone in a surrogate (a la Dolly the sheep) and
once a few cats are made this way the others can be generated by regular
breeding.

HOWEVER, the protein being silenced is secreted by the cat to keep
its skin moist and that's what some people are allergic too. Unknown at
this point are effects on the cat's skin. Since genes have a number of
functions and express a number of different proteins effects on other
bodily functions are also unknown. Some "side-effects" might not show up
for years.

ALSO, people are allergic to other cat proteins as well, so this
won't be completely effective. The company plans to sell the cats for
around $1,000 each, sterilized so they won't breed in the environment
although something could happen to let the transgenic cat out of the bag
back at the breeding facilities to run amock in the world cat
population.... The company, Transgenic Pets, is planning on genetically
altering dogs next.

What are these people THINKING?? Pet lovers unite!!

Steve Gilman
Ruckytucks Farm



  • GMO cats??, Kevin Ancell, 06/28/2001
    • <Possible follow-up(s)>
    • Re: GMO cats??, sunnfarm, 06/28/2001
    • Re: GMO Cats??, sgilman, 06/29/2001

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