http://www.care2.com/greenliving/genetically-modified-pets.html
Genetically Modified Pets
By Erika Villani, Plenty magazine
Many people have been concerned about the health effects of genetically tweaked fruits and veggies, but a recent advancement in genetic modification involving household pets has raised hackles for its ethical implications.
The San Diego–based Allerca, Inc. has created “hypoallergenic” cats—that is, cats that don’t produce the glycoprotein responsible for inducing itchy eyes, sneezing, and hives. One of these kittens will set you back $3,950, a few hundred times more than picking up a stray at the local shelter. Like modified produce, Allerca’s cats have their undesirable genes silenced—in this case, by altering the recipe for glycoprotein normally found in fur and saliva. These cats have cells that destroy the chemical, rather than produce it. Unlike genetically modified foods, the modified cats don’t affect human health—beyond the absence of sniffles and sneezes, that is.
The effect on the cats is a different story, however. “Developing a hypoallergenic cat is far from a perfect science,” says Tracie Letterman, executive director of the American Anti-Vivisection Society, which opposes animal testing. “There is no guarantee that these animals will live average, healthy life spans.”
In addition, she says, gene silencing is typically a trial-and-error process—some of the altered animals are likely born unhealthy or deformed, or don’t exhibit the allergy-free traits scientists seek. Each time this happens, researchers go back to the lab to tweak another part of the genetic profile, and while each failure brings them closer to success, the outlook isn’t so bright for the animals that don’t live up to spec. Allerca’s lab practices aren’t public, but in a typical laboratory, says Letterman, “animals who do not have the ‘right’ profile are likely to be considered nothing more than by-products.” And byproducts, by and large, are destroyed.
So what about the animals who turn out “right”? Allerca cats will, in theory, lead normal kitten lives: Romping with yarn balls, scratching up couches, and getting checkups at the neighborhood vet. This poses another problem—as Letterman points out, “general veterinarians have no specialized training in the care of genetically altered animals, and they may not be prepared to treat ailing hypoallergenic cats.” Their owners will be similarly challenged. Maybe genetically modified pets will have some effect on humans, after all.
Plenty is an environmental media company dedicated to exploring and giving voice to the green revolution that will define the 21st Century. Click here to subscribe to Plenty.
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27 comments
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why is this inappropriate?
i cannot think of one domesticated animal that is not genetically modified. It may not be done in a lab, but every dog breed other than the Saluki (sp?) has been genetically altered through breeding to get the canines we see today.
however, all that aside - adopt a pet from your local shelter!
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why is this inappropriate?
Why not make a genetically modified human for a change.Can't we just let this animals be free and stick to natural attributes and physiology:(
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why is this inappropriate?
This is just sad.pets are not suppose to be treated and experimented this way.Why can't we just let things be.There are really people who are allergic to cats..why not try a dog.They are much as fun as cats.:(
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why is this inappropriate?
if you have allergies don't' get an animal and if you have to get an animal consider a Sphinx, the hairless cat...you will reduce the allergens in your house by a landslide
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why is this inappropriate?
This is appalling!! If you have allergies then don't adopt/buy an animal. There are already so many unwanted animals out there it is morally repugnant to breed more let alone testing them and altering there genes. It reminds me of this gem of wisdom from C.S. Lewis:
"Dreams of the far future destiny of man were dragging up from its shallows and unquiet grave the old dream of Man as God. The very experiences of the dissecting room and the pathological laboratory were breeding a conviction that the stifling of all deep-set repugnances was the first essential of progress."
- That Hideous Strength pg. 203
I posted a blog about the horrors of vivesection and how science has become so unethical many times. If you want a link to my blog feel free to send me a message.
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why is this inappropriate?
It seems that humans feel the need to try things on others, and not ourselves. Like testing on animals, most of the time the data isn't accurate because no matter how close animals are to humans, they aren't one. And, I mean, a lot of people are absolutely revolted by the way Hitler and his followers treated Jews (Making lamps and couches out of their skin, and killing them with poison, not given them decent housing), but the hardly flinch when they are told how cows and pigs and sheep and chickens have their beaks seared off, or their tails removed, all without any antistatic or painkiller or anything! It's all mixed up, in my opinion. Some things are best left undiscovered. And if we want to discover them, we shouldn't have to make others suffer.
I don't think we should be genetically engineering cats, any animals, or any vegetables for that matter. We're all equal.
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why is this inappropriate?
I am all for genetic engineering. It makes corn and potatoes and all manner of tasty things. What I am not for are people who cry at the sight of blood. People who refuse to kill refuse to live.
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why is this inappropriate?
This is reprehensible. Allerca needs to stop torturing animals merely to supply stupid people with pets. More likely, Allercan is using the cats as an excuse to solicit funding.
Allerca is just disgusting.
All a person needs to do is to consult an allergist. Desensitizations shots are available and almost every insurance, including Medicare and Medical, cover the testing and the shots. If you are allergic to cats, the chances are there are many other substances that bring on the symptoms as well (mold and dust mites being two of the primary allergens people react to).
Desensitization shots can positively change your quality of life (and those around you).
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why is this inappropriate?
It all seems very Austwich to me.
And how do we know the animals don't need this 'glycoprotein' for some purpose?
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why is this inappropriate?
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