Kindred Develops 2 Gene-Edited Dogs Without Can f 1, Targeting Allergies in 10%-20% of People
Updated
Updated · The Week · Aug 10
Kindred Develops 2 Gene-Edited Dogs Without Can f 1, Targeting Allergies in 10%-20% of People
3 articles · Updated · The Week · Aug 10
Summary
Bailey and Alfie — two beagles born in September 2024 — were engineered by Kindred Companion Sciences with a CRISPR knockout of Can f 1, the main dog-allergy protein.
Tests found no detectable Can f 1 in the edited dogs, a shift from “hypoallergenic” breeds that still shed allergy-triggering proteins in saliva, hair and dander.
Kindred said both dogs have shown healthy growth and development so far, but researchers and outside experts said wider use remains distant and long-term health effects still need study.
Minor dog allergens could still trigger reactions, and bioethicists say allergy-free pets might expand ownership while potentially reducing adoption of strays and unwanted animals.
The work targets a large market: pet allergies affect about 10% to 20% of the global population, making the dogs a potential breakthrough if the approach proves durable.