Quack of the week: Simon Brodie

I was reading an old copy of new scientist while having coffee the other day and I read about Allerca, a company which had promised hypoallergenic cats back in 2004 for about $3500 a piece, not including a 250 non refundable deposit. I was aware of the offering, since it was widely reported in the media, even winning Time magazine's invention of the year. In fact even nature reported on it. But what I didn't know was that it is a complete scam. While the allergic protein has been identified, Fel d1, no KO cats have been engineered. The company claims to have a naturally occurring mutant, however it is unclear what the mutation is, and whether it is sufficient to dampen the allergy. Furthermore, no trials or peer reviewed science has been conducted. If that wasn't worrying enough the individual behind the company, Simon Brodie, has had a shady past, sometimes using pseudonyms to conduct business, often fake biotech companies. One of his other project was to make a GFP-deer, so that the wouldn't get hit by cars at night. wow. Not surprisingly a hypoallergenic cat as yet to be seen after over 3 years. I feel bad for all the people who put a deposit. Actually I don't, anyone stupid enough to pay $4000 for a cat, when animal shelters are full, is asking for it...