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[sgilman <sgilman AT netheaven.com>]

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