Scientists have successfully used a gene editing technique to create two hypoallergenic beagles, Bailey and Alfie. The research, published in the Crispr Journal, involved editing the genetic code in dog skin cells to switch off the main gene responsible for producing allergy-causing proteins.
Matt Walker, a geneticist at Kindred Companion Sciences, who previously suffered from dog allergies, can now interact with Bailey without symptoms. Tests on the dogs' saliva and fur did not find signs of the allergy-causing protein, and an allergy test on Walker showed no reaction to extracts from the beagles.
The company hopes to test this technique on other dogs and service animals to develop allergy-free lines beyond beagles. However, experts note that it will take years before such dogs are widely available, requiring monitoring of long-term health effects and commercialisation efforts.