Hypoallergenic Cat, are they really safe for you. Hypoallergenic comes from the Greek prefix hypo, which means (below normal or slightly). Yes they do help but you should test them before you bring one home. There is news of a company that is genetically engineering a new Hypoallergenic Cat.

For allergy sufferers, a hypoallergenic cat might enable them to have a pet in their home, whereas most dogs, cats, rabbits, and other fur-bearing animals can make their lives miserable. The proteins that cause allergies are found not only in the animals' fur or hair but also in saliva, urine, mucous, and hair roots and in the dander sloughed from the animals skin.

Cat breeds which lack some or all of the normal layers in cats' fur, are believed by mild allergy sufferers to be significantly less likely to provoke an allergic reaction than other breeds are.

• the Sphinx
• Devon Rex
• Cornish Rex
• Siberian cats are also believed by some to have such properties.

A company called Allerca recently claimed to be able to produce a so-called hypoallergenic cat using gene silencing, but it has now instead used traditional breeding methods, starting with cats that naturally lack the gene that produces the glycoprotein Fel d1 causing an allergic reaction in some people. However, no peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the company's claims and some scientists are skeptical of the company's assertions.Allerca is currently accepting orders for hypoallergenic kittens.Another company, Felix Pets, also claims to be developing a breed of hypoallergenic cat.

Many cat lovers ignore medical advice and discomfort and choose to keep the animals as pets, or use expensive medications to cope with their allergies. Cat allergen is also one of the main causes of childhood allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases such as ronchitis. Cat allergies are caused by a potent protein secreted by the cat's skin and salivary glands. The allergen is so small it can remain airborne for months.