Position Statement on Hypoallergenic Cats
Background
In 2004 a biotech company announced that it would soon take orders for genetically engineered hypoallergenic cats. The announcement sparked interest and concern among those who care about the welfare of animals. Following upon the public presentation of cloned kittens, the availability of hypoallergenic cats signals another watershed event in the evolving relationship between humans and animals.
Similar to other developing technologies, genetic engineering can be either a great boon to animal welfare, or emerge as another specter that threatens humans’ obligation to promote respect for animals. Which role it will play depends on the standards employed in its use and the vigilance with which it is monitored.
Allergic reactions by people to cats, and to other animals, are a very real medical issue. If nothing else, they deprive sufferers of the chance to enjoy the bond that so many others share with their animal companions, and result in large numbers of animals being relinquished to shelters. The techniques that will be used to “silence” the gene that codes for Fel d 1, the cat protein most often implicated as a trigger for an allergic response to cats, would seem to be benign in their impact on the physical condition of the cats. It will be important to monitor the long-term health of these cats to ensure that silencing the gene does not result in unforeseen effects that are deleterious to them.
While acknowledging the concerns that some people have about the potential for the abuse of genetic technology, the ASPCA also recognizes the promise that these new technologies present for protecting the health and welfare of animals. It may be that gene silencing will be part of the solution to the unplanned reproduction of cats and dogs, which results in overwhelmed shelters across the country. Continued vigilance by all animal welfare advocates will be required to ensure that the application of new genetic technologies enhances rather than compromises the health and wellbeing of animals.
ASPCA Position
The ASPCA supports the cautious development of new technologies that offer promise to enhance the human/animal bond and the health and welfare of animals, provided that all due diligence and vigilance is exercised to ensure that the highest standards are adhered to in the development and implementation of the technology. The ASPCA does not believe that the availability of hypoallergenic cats will have a negative impact on the overwhelming number of cats currently awaiting new homes in the nation’s shelters. In fact, the ASPCA hopes that the investment of time and money that the new guardians of these cats are willing to make might be a model for anyone thinking about acquiring a pet, and ultimately result in fewer relinquishments to shelters.