Allergic to Dogs? These Gene-Edited Beagles Could Pave the Way to Your Dream Canine Companion That Won't Trigger Sniffles

For allergy sufferers who have long dreamed of owning a dog, researchers at Kindred Companion Sciences have made a breakthrough. The company's founders, Matt Walker and his wife Maggie, have long been dog lovers but have been unable to share their home with a canine companion due to Matt's severe allergies. Now, the couple's dream may soon become a reality.

Kindred's scientists have developed a pair of gene-edited beagles, named Alfie and Bailey, that lack a major allergen. Using the CRISPR gene-editing tool, they removed the gene that codes for the protein Can f 1, which triggers allergic reactions in humans. The edited dogs were born in September 2024, and tests show that they have no detectable levels of the Can f 1 protein in their saliva or dander.

The team tested the gene-edited dogs against regular beagles and other hypoallergenic breeds, finding that the allergy-inducing protein was present in the samples from the regular beagle, poodle, and goldendoodle. However, the samples from Alfie and Bailey did not elicit any allergic reactions in skin-prick tests.

While the gene-edited dogs show promise, they are not yet available for purchase and have not received FDA approval. The researchers also note that other proteins, like Can f 2, can still cause allergic reactions in some people. Despite this, the success of Alfie and Bailey could pave the way for more pet options for people with allergies.