Allergy-free kitties?

[eveglass]

Apparently scientists at Allerca have succeeded in breeding the worlds' first hypo-allergetic cats. The first ones are being sold soon (already pre-ordered) for about US$7000, though the price should come down soon. The company is so confident in their claim for the allergy-free nature of their cats that they will reimburse the purchase price if the buyer continues to suffer allergy symptoms.

I am SO tempted. Give me 5 years to save up some money and for the price to come down, and I might have my very own kitty! Yay!

Comments

[jasmine-koran.livejournal.com]

I;'m curious....HOW did they breed this animal? Was it simply creative breeding between breeds that seem to cause less severe symptoms or did they combine kitty DNA with that of a non-allergy causing animal like...oh, I dunno, an alligator?
....
KITTYGATOR!

....I'm sorry, I think I need more sleep...

[eveglass.livejournal.com]

As I understand it (and keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about this sort of thing), they found cats with a naturally deviating genetic structure that caused them not to produce the allergy-causing enzyme, and then they bred them. There's more information on their web page, most of which I don't understand, but would be happy to hear the explanation from someone with a background in this sort of thing.

In as much as I understand it, there will be no kittygators, no. :)

[shenlo.livejournal.com]

I hate to be negative..

But they said this about Siamese, Sphynx, and various other supposedly 'hypo-allergenic' cat breeds as well. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you...

..or rather.. I would continue to hold my breath....

Or....

Well, you know.

[eveglass.livejournal.com]

Eh, I wouldn't have the money for a while, anyway. In the time it takes me to save up, I'll be able to see reviews from people and find out if these kitties are everything they're cracked up to be.