Scientists at Kindred Companion Sciences used gene editing to produce a hypoallergenic beagle named Bailey, a development bioethicist Arthur Caplan of New York University's Grossman School of Medicine warns "may discourage people from trying to use strays and unwanted animals that are not engineered to be allergy-free." This marks the first successful application of the technique in dogs, creating a new class of "designer" pets for those with specific needs, while raising questions about the fate of unengineered animals.
Matt Walker, a geneticist at Kindred Companion Sciences, expressed "a mix of relief and awe and gratitude that it worked" after creating Bailey and her twin Alfie using CRISPR, the Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technique. Walker, who previously couldn't pet a dog without sneezing, now feeds Bailey peanut butter and plays fetch with her in Central Park.
Bailey's saliva and hair no longer contain a key allergy-causing protein, a modification Walker states is present in all dogs. Kindred Companion Sciences intends to test the technique on other dogs and service animals, aiming to breed an allergy-free line beyond beagles.
The research, published today in the CRISPR Journal, began by editing the genetic code within dog skin cells, effectively switching off the primary gene responsible for allergy-causing proteins. This edited code was then transferred into eggs, which a beagle surrogate carried to term, giving birth to two healthy female pups in September 2024, about 2 years ago.
Scientists confirmed the absence of the allergy-causing protein in the pups' saliva and fur. Walker's own allergy test, involving skin pricks with extracts from Alfie and Bailey's saliva and dander, showed no reaction, unlike samples from a poodle and goldendoodle.
Elite Interests and Designer Pets
Bailey now lives with Walker in New York, having been with him for a little over one year, while Alfie resides in Florida with another Kindred scientist. Walker describes Bailey as a member of his family, highlighting the personal benefit derived from this advanced genetic intervention.
Previously, researchers attempted to create hypoallergenic pets through cloning, often resulting in sicker, genetically similar pups. About 2 years ago, CRISPR was used to reduce allergy-causing proteins in a cat named Alsik, but its broader safety for other felines remains unclear.
The Cost of 'Progress'
Dr. Jeff SoRelle, a pathologist at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, emphasized the need for future research to test these gene-edited dogs on a wider array of people with pet allergies. He questioned "just how effective or broadly useful this could be for stopping dog allergy in humans."
Walker maintains that the genetic edit made to the dogs is rare but occurs naturally in some canines, suggesting it's unlikely to cause negative effects. He stressed the importance of routine vet visits to monitor their health.
Despite being a lifelong dog lover, Walker's allergies prevented him from owning pups during his upbringing, even with supposedly hypoallergenic breeds like his family's goldendoodle. Now, he and Bailey engage in tug-of-war and she offers comfort when he's ill, fulfilling a personal desire through advanced biotechnology. This personal fulfillment, however, stands in stark contrast to the broader implications for the animal population and societal values.