Overview
- The CRISPR Journal published the Kindred Companion Sciences paper on Wednesday reporting that the company produced two beagles that lack the Can f 1 gene, the main protein that triggers many human dog allergies.
- Researchers used CRISPR on dog skin cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning) to make 25 edited embryos, transferred them to a surrogate, and carried two edited pups to term in 2024.
- Laboratory tests found no detectable Can f 1 in the pups’ saliva and dander, whole-genome sequencing reported no off-target edits, and a skin-prick test on cofounder Matt Walker produced no reaction to the edited-dog samples.
- Experts caution Can f 1 is not the only dog allergen and say broader human testing, long-term veterinary monitoring, clear regulatory pathways, and ethical review are still needed before any consumer availability.
- The company plans to extend the approach to other breeds and create edited 'founder' lines for breeding, and the work follows earlier gene-editing attempts on pet allergens such as edited cats reported in prior years.