Scientists have created genetically modified dogs that are hypoallergenic.

By disabling the key gene responsible for allergen production, the researchers edited the genetic code in a dog's skin cells. This modified genetic material was then transferred to eggs, which were implanted into a beagle. In September 2024, she gave birth to two healthy females. Analysis of their saliva and fur revealed no evidence of the allergy-causing protein, according to Associated Press.

Geneticist Matt Walker couldn't pet a dog without sneezing—until he and other scientists used gene editing to create a hypoallergenic beagle named Bailey.

Now he can spoon-feed him peanut butter while the dog lies on his lap and play with him in Central Park. His allergies haven't gone away—it's just that Bailey's saliva and fur no longer contain the key protein that triggers allergic reactions.

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"Right now, it's a mixture of relief, amazement, and gratitude that it all worked out," said Walker. His company, Kindred Companion Sciences, created Bailey and her twin sister, Alfie, using CRISPR (a "snipping" technique for fragments of genetic code), a Nobel Prize-winning technology.

However, it will be years before the millions of people with dog allergies can simply walk into a pet store and buy a puppy like Alfie or Bailey.

Scientists will need to study the long-term consequences of such genome interventions and find a way to make the technology widely available and accessible. However, experts not involved in the study warn that this could negatively impact shelter animals waiting to be adopted.

"On the one hand, this opens up the possibility of pet ownership to many more people. On the other hand, it may reduce interest in homeless and unwanted animals," noted bioethicist Arthur Caplan of the New York University Grossman School of Medicine.

Attempts to create hypoallergenic pets have been made before, most often through cloning. However, this resulted in sicklier puppies with low genetic diversity. Two years ago, scientists used CRISPR to reduce the levels of an allergy-causing protein in a cat named Alsik, but it remains unclear whether this method is safe to use on other animals.

Dogs that shed less, such as poodles, are often considered hypoallergenic. However, they still produce allergy-causing proteins found in their saliva, fur, and dander, which can cause symptoms in humans.

To create Alfie and Bailey, scientists first worked in the lab. They edited the genetic code in the dog's skin cells, disabling the key gene responsible for allergen production. This modified genetic material was then transferred to eggs, which were implanted into a surrogate mother, a beagle. In September 2024, she gave birth to two healthy female puppies. Analysis of their saliva and fur revealed no evidence of the allergy-causing protein.

Scientists conducted an allergy test: they applied extracts of Alfie and Bailey's saliva and dander to Walker's skin. His skin reacted to samples from poodles and goldendoodles, but not to those from beagles.

The results of the study, published August 5 in the CRISPR Journal, marked the first successful application of this method in dogs.

According to Walker, they all share the same allergy-related gene, which was disabled in Alfie and Bailey. Kindred Companion Sciences plans to test this technology on other breeds, as well as on service dogs, to see if it's possible to breed an entire line of animals free of the allergen.

Future studies will need to test the effects of these genetically modified dogs on a larger number of people with allergies to ensure the effect extends to a wider group, said Dr. Jeff Sorrell of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

"Because the knocked-out gene is a major, but not the only, factor in dog allergies, we don't yet know exactly how effective and universal this approach will be for eliminating allergies in people," explained Sorell, who was not involved in the study.

Bailey lives with Walker in New York, and Alfie lives in Florida with another company scientist. According to Walker, the genetic modification introduced into these dogs occurs naturally, albeit rarely, and is therefore unlikely to cause any negative consequences. However, they will be monitored during regular veterinary visits to ensure they remain healthy.

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Bailey has been living with Walker for more than a year, and the scientist says she has become part of the family.

Despite his love of dogs since childhood, allergies prevented him from having pets. Even breeds considered more hypoallergenic, such as his family's Goldendoodle, caused him itchy eyes and painful rashes.

Now he can play with Bailey at home, and she lies at his feet when Walker is sick, as if trying to support her owner.

"It's just an incredible feeling to finally have a dog," Walker admitted.

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