CRISPR-edited beagles born without key allergy protein

Scientists at Kindred Companion Sciences used CRISPR gene editing to produce two beagles, Bailey and Alfie, whose saliva and hair no longer contain the primary protein that triggers dog allergies in humans. The beagles were born in September 2024 from a surrogate beagle mother after researchers edited the genetic code in dog skin cells to switch off the gene responsible for the protein.

An allergy test was conducted on Matt Walker, a geneticist at Kindred Companion Sciences who suffers from dog allergies. His skin reacted to samples from a poodle and a goldendoodle but showed no reaction to samples from Bailey and Alfie. Walker, who had previously avoided dogs due to his allergies, now lives with Bailey in New York.

The research, published in the CRISPR Journal, marks the first successful use of this approach in dogs. The edited gene occurs naturally in some dogs, but the long-term health effects of the genetic tweak remain untested. Kindred Companion Sciences plans to apply the technique to other dog breeds and service animals.

The five left-rated digests and the Associated Press report led on the personal story of Matt Walker, the geneticist who could not previously own a dog due to allergies. The AP report quoted Walker directly: “The feeling right now is sort of a mix of relief and awe and gratitude that it worked.” The left-rated reports also included the ethical concerns raised by bioethicist Arthur Caplan, who said the technique “opens the door to a lot more people being able to own pets” but “may discourage people from trying to use strays and unwanted animals.”

The Associated Press report, carried by left-rated outlets, detailed the scientific process: editing the genetic code in dog skin cells, transferring it into eggs, and implanting them into a surrogate beagle. It also noted that previous attempts to create hypoallergenic pets, such as cloning, had led to genetically similar and sicker pups.

The 11 centre-rated digests and the Click on Detroit report, which reprinted the AP article, led on the scientific breakthrough and the potential for hypoallergenic dogs. The digests summarised the process: using CRISPR to switch off the gene responsible for the main allergy-causing protein in dogs. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the ethical concerns raised by Arthur Caplan or the personal story of Matt Walker’s allergies.

Click on Detroit’s full report included the same details as the AP article, such as the allergy test results and the long-term monitoring required for the beagles. It also carried the quote from Dr. Jeff SoRelle, a pathologist not involved in the study, who said, “we don’t exactly know just how effective or broadly useful this could be for stopping dog allergy in humans.”

No right-rated outlet carried the story, according to the reports printed below. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the ethical concerns raised by bioethicist Arthur Caplan about the potential impact on shelter and rescue animals. The left-rated digests did not include the quote from Dr. Jeff SoRelle questioning the broader effectiveness of the technique.