Modern Approaches to Combating Allergies
What Are Allergies and Why Do They Happen?
Allergies are more than just sneezing or teary eyes around cats. They occur when the immune system overreacts to substances harmless to most people. These triggers, known as allergens—think pollen, pet dander, foods like peanuts or milk, or even latex—can spark a range of symptoms, from mild rashes to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
Are allergies a modern phenomenon? Far from it. They predate humanity, with even other mammals experiencing them. As early as 400 BCE, Hippocrates described asthma, and in the 1st century BCE, the philosopher Lucretius observed, “What is food to one may be poison to another.” In the 19th century, seasonal allergies were mistaken for “summer colds.” The term “allergy” wasn’t coined until 1906, but its mechanisms trace back to our evolutionary roots.
At the heart of allergies are immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, unique to mammals. These bind to allergens and mast cells, triggering the release of histamine—a molecule that sparks inflammation, quickens the heartbeat, dilates capillaries, lowers blood pressure, and can cause bronchial spasms leading to breathing difficulties. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock can be fatal without prompt administration of epinephrine.
Interestingly, IgE evolved to protect against parasites and toxins. For example, cat allergies may stem from the immune system mistaking the feline protein Fel d 1—structurally similar to toxins found in the venom of slow lorises, tropical primates—for a threat, prompting an allergic response.
Modern Strategies for Tackling Allergies
Science offers two primary approaches to addressing allergies: modifying the human immune response or altering allergens themselves.
Hypoallergenic Innovations
One promising avenue is the development of hypoallergenic products and animals through genetic engineering. Using CRISPR-Cas9, researchers have created cats lacking the Fel d 1 protein, which triggers allergies in 90% of cases. Found in cat saliva and urine, this protein persists even in hairless breeds. In one experiment, scientists disabled one copy of the Fel d 1 gene in two cats, and their offspring, with both gene copies deactivated, were fully hypoallergenic. To preserve this trait, the cat was cloned, as crossbreeding could reintroduce the allergen.
Genetic engineering also extends to food. Through RNA interference, scientists have reduced the allergen Ara h 2 in peanuts by 25% and minimized the Mal d 1 protein in apples. Similar techniques are being applied to soy, eggs, milk, and wheat, creating products that retain flavor but are safer for allergy sufferers.
In Japan, researchers have gone further, developing genetically modified rice containing microdoses of pollen allergens. This acts as a form of exposure therapy, gradually desensitizing the body. In 2025, scientists harvested 440 kg of this rice, with clinical trials still ongoing. If successful, this could set a precedent for addressing major public health challenges through GMOs.
Gene Therapy and Immunotherapy
Another approach targets the human immune system. In experiments with mice engineered to have human peanut allergies, scientists introduced a gene encoding antibodies that neutralize IgE bound to allergens. Treated mice showed no reaction to peanuts, unlike the control group.
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is another powerful tool. By administering small, controlled doses of an allergen—either through injections or orally—ASIT gradually reduces sensitivity. A Cochrane meta-analysis of 51 studies confirmed that ASIT alleviates symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and reduces reliance on medications. It’s also effective for children with asthma or allergies to eggs, milk, or peanuts, though it requires strict medical supervision.
Antihistamines remain a cornerstone of symptom relief. First-generation drugs like diphenhydramine cause drowsiness by crossing the blood-brain barrier, while newer options, such as cetirizine, target histamine receptors selectively without affecting the brain.
Diagnosing Allergies Accurately
The most reliable way to diagnose allergies is through a medical professional. The gold standard is a skin prick test, where small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin, and reactions—resembling mosquito bites—are checked after 20 minutes. If no reaction occurs but suspicion persists, allergens may be injected under the skin. When performed by experts, this method is safe.
Beware of pseudoscientific alternatives like applied kinesiology (testing arm strength while holding an allergen), cytotoxic tests (examining blood cell “death”), or electrodermal tests (measuring electrical currents via acupuncture points). Methods like bioresonance or voice analysis lack scientific backing and rely on wishful thinking rather than biology.
Why Progress Stalls
Despite breakthroughs in genetic engineering, societal biases against GMOs hinder progress. Many fear imagined risks, picturing GMOs as unnatural hybrids like “scorpion-potatoes.” This skepticism could prevent hypoallergenic products from reaching the market, as consumers may simply refuse to buy them. For instance, Australian researchers developing high-yield wheat for saline soils abandoned genetic engineering due to bureaucratic hurdles and public resistance, opting for slower traditional breeding methods.
Pseudoscience further muddies the waters. Homeopathy and “healing crystals” don’t treat allergies, yet their popularity persists, fueled by coincidental remissions mistaken for cures.
A Future Free of Allergies
Allergies can limit lives or even end them, but science is paving the way to solutions—from hypoallergenic cats and foods to gene therapies and immunotherapies. Overcoming fear and misinformation is crucial to making these innovations mainstream. By spreading scientific awareness, we can build a world where allergy sufferers can breathe freely, enjoy their favorite foods, and pet cats without a single tear.
