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Some of the non-vegan foods are among the most causes of allergies: shellfish, eggs, and dairy. How are these tests prepared? Is it possible for the allergens to be extracted without harming the animals they come from?

Zanna
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Ramon Melo
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    How else would you test whether you're allergic to dairy then by putting lactose in the syringe? – Riker Feb 02 '17 at 22:47
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    Well, breast milk is rich in lactose, and no animals have to be harmed to obtain it. – Ramon Melo Feb 02 '17 at 22:50
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    True, didn't think about that. Eggs though? As far as I know humans don't lay eggs.... :P – Riker Feb 02 '17 at 22:55
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    True haha But I don't know, maybe there is a way that we don't know of. But, even if there isn't, I'll still be ok with the answer. – Ramon Melo Feb 02 '17 at 23:08
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    If you are not consuming non-vegan foods/products why would you need to be tested for allergies related to them? – James Jenkins Feb 03 '17 at 13:34
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    @JamesJenkins It's usually part of the allergy test standard panel (along with stuff like nickel dioxide). But, even so, you don't have to actively consume them to have an allergy. Some people can have crisis by just getting in contact, or breathing the allergens. – Ramon Melo Feb 03 '17 at 15:02
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    I respect the downvoters' opinion, but I'd really appreciate if someone would leave a comment on why it's off-topic. I can delete it if it doesn't fit in here, I just need to know why. – Ramon Melo Feb 03 '17 at 15:43
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    @JamesJenkins if someone has an allergy, a few molecules of the substance could endanger their lives. Many vegans are relatively relaxed about cross-contamination (ie consume animal-free products "produced in a facility where dairy products are present" or similar) so knowing that you have such an allergy may be necessary – Zanna Feb 03 '17 at 17:03
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    @EasterlyIrk humans ovulate - our eggs are just very tiny ;) whether they.contain proteins that normally trigger a response in folks allergic to hen's eggs is another question... – Zanna Feb 03 '17 at 17:05
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    I think this question is on-topic. It may be true that allergens can be isolated or synthesised without harming animals. It is a difficult question and I can't answer it, but that's no reason to close – Zanna Feb 03 '17 at 17:08
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    I'm pretty sure that allergies can be found without you having to consume the actual thing. I know that I was tested for any of my allergies when I was little, they stuck something in my back with a bunch of little needles and then used that. I think it was a DNA test of some sort but I can't say for sure. I'll have to do more research for this. Its an interesting question. – Preston Hager Jul 02 '17 at 02:24

1 Answers1

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I believe it's impossible.

To test for allergies, you must find a way to expose your immune system to the allergen. This can be done by applying the allergen directly to your body (as in skin prick tests), which would require a sample of the allergen from the animal.

  • I'm not sure @Ramon Melo is right that human lactose would necessarily cause a reaction in people that are intolerant to cow lactose, because lactose differs slightly between different species. For example, many lactose-intolerant people can tolerate goat's milk just fine.

  • It could be possible to isolate lactose from one animal, and then bioengineer yeast cells to produce it. While this would require animal ingredients initially, the yeast can produce the allergen without any additional animal ingredients. And since yeast is a fungus, I think most vegans will be fine with it :) But again, it does need animal ingredients initially.

Alternatively, you could do a test to search for antibodies in your blood that will react against that allergen. But these kinds of tests (e.g. ELIZA) use linking antibodies that are produced in animals like chicks, rabbits, etc. Very far from being vegan.

Sorry, folks.... that's a bummer!

Amanda Daly
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