If you were allergic to cats and are unable to live without a cat, would you consider buying an allergy-free cat for $4000 a piece?

I am allergic to cats and was unable to live without one. I did not consider spending $4000 on a non-allergenic cat, but spent about that much on the best allergy specialist I could find.

Not only did he alter my hyper-reactions to cats, he changed my overreactions to pollens, molds, dust, metals, and others.

I still have to be careful with my cats, though. Chloe likes to nuzzle under my chin, and if I get too much of her on my neck, I can get sick.

For a second I thought it was $400, and was all “well, sure, what’s four hundred bucks”. Then I saw the third zero. Four grand for a bloody cat? No way in hell, man.

I’m somewhat conflicted to gene therapy and modifications. I think this is an example of something I support. I am not allergic, but I see how animals give great comfort to people. So I think it’s a good thing. Hefty price though.

I don’t have a moral issue gene modification, and I see the amazing possibilities. We can make plants grow medicine and cure genetic diseases, bacteria can make diezel. I had a discussion the other day with some friends about the brain damage of savants, and having an understanding about that and how the genes works we could theoretically give these gifts to everyone. That would make an induced evolutionary jump. Would that be something we want? I’m not sure. I’ve seen “Gattaca”.

I hope that the research in these things are heavily monitored. They say that humans have been cloned already. Maybe. It’s going to happen sooner or later. I don’t see the benefit really, but i guess there might be somewhere.

Ah well, I realized this became somewhat a rant going away from the questions a bit.

In the article it was mentioned that “one third of the millions of people who are allergic to cats ignore doctors’ directions and keep one around anyway”.

I don’t want to promote the idea, but if thousands of people create a demand, price would come down pretty fast and end up in the range @bob_ had suspected. Motto: let the rich people be early adopters.

I wonder if a non-neutered allergy-free cat (or even cat couple) could become the target of thieves. Then let them breed like crazy and sell the offspring on the black market. Eventually there could be so many cats around that the whole business model breaks down. Maybe there’s a Jurassic Park sort of ‘failsafe’ mechanism for uncontrolled breeding. Not sure.

No way. I am allergic to something in my house, the cat, the dog, or maybe the smut (mold) that blows in from the delta. There’s no way of knowing, so I just take the allergy pills regularly. It’s much cheaper.

If all my other needs were met and I still had that kind of money left, I think I’d do it. If my allergies couldn’t be controlled for far less money that is.

As to the larger question, the jury is still out. I don’t have any kind of knee-jerk reaction to genetic engineering, but it seems like it could be a blessing and a curse. As long as there are positive results that cause little to no harm, I’m in favor of continued research and advances. I only hope the blessings far outweigh the curses. Human nature, being what it is, will probably be the deciding factor in the end.

@YARNLADY – From a medical standpoint, avoiding allergens is better than taking pills. But those are of course cheaper than the cat.

@augustlan – I think we need clear ethical guidelines. Not everything should be allowed. We don’t want superintelligent transgenic dolphins putting mines on enemy battleships.

I am extremely allergic to cats; and while I like them – I wouldn’t pay that kind of money for any pet.

I’m allergic to cats, but have two. I grew up with cats, my mother is also very allergic but she doesn’t let it get in her way. I don’t take meds for it, my mother does though.
I actually never knew I was until I had an allergy test, I don’t think cats really affect me that much though…only certain cats (like one of the ones I had growing up…) It just means I cat rub my face in their fur..which I wouldn’t want to do anyways.
I don’t think I could pay that much for a cat. If I had unlimited funds? Maybe.

I personally would not, but I certainly don’t look down on people that do. Some people spend more then that on entertainment centers or Yankee paraphenalia. Whatever turns you on, baby!

I’d just adopt a dog… for like $50… Problem solved… Man’s best friend anyways, right?

There’s no allergy concern with a Sphynx, and you can buy one for much less than 4K.