A California biotechnology company has created a genetically engineered feline. The cat is expected to be available some time in 2007. The company Allerca is hoping to attract cat people who are allergic to there feline friends.

Up to 10 percent of the United States population has allergies and most of them have symptoms that affect the eyes, nose, lungs, throat and skin. Many cat lovers buy costly medications to be able to cope with their allergies and keep their beloved pets. Since Allerca is creating these new types of cats the need for allergy medications will be eliminated.

Cat allergen is one of the top causes of child allergies such as bronchitis and asthma. The allergen can remain air born for many months and cause havoc with in the little child.

Using a gene silencing technique, Allerca is able to suppress the allergen and create a cat that produces no allergen.

The first production of cats will be made from British Short Hairs, which are considered to be the ‘ideal pets.’ They are friendly, playful and have affectionate personalities.

Allerca expects the first kittens to be born in the early months of 2007. The company is accepting $250 deposits from customers who are interested.

The cats are to be sold at $3,500 in the United States and Allerca hopes to sell at least 200,000 of them in the U.S.

Allerca will have the cats neutered and spayed in order to prevent breeding with other naturally born animals.

The genetically engineered cats are the latest attempt to apply biotechnology to the pet industry and it seems that they will be very successful.