Gene-edited beagles born without major dog allergen, offering hope for allergy sufferers

Kindred Companion Sciences, founded by Matt Walker, employed CRISPR to inactivate the gene that encodes the dog allergen Can f 1 in beagle skin cells, then used somatic cell nuclear transfer to clone the edited cells into embryos. Two of the 25 embryos implanted in a surrogate developed into healthy puppies, Bailey and Alfie, with normal birth weights and no congenital defects. Genetic analysis verified the intended edit, and laboratory tests showed the absence of Can f 1 protein in their saliva and dander, unlike control dogs.

Walker underwent a skin-prick assay that produced no reaction, and his extended cohabitation with Bailey confirmed the lack of allergic symptoms. The researchers also examined the genome for unintended edits and found none, and they plan to expand the approach to other breeds and potentially to service dogs, though no commercial timeline was given.