Professor Helen Sang: "Not only could we use this approach to tackle bird flu but other diseases"

UK scientists have created the world's first genetically modified chickens that do not spread bird flu.

Writing in Science journal, the team says their work
demonstrates it is possible to create a variety of GM farm animals
resistant to viral diseases.

The research team inserted an artificial gene into chickens;

this introduces a tiny part of the bird flu virus into chicken cells.

These birds become infected but render the virus harmless to other poultry.

The team believes that the genetic modification they have
introduced is harmless to the chickens and to people who might eat the
birds.

Professor Helen Sang of Edinburgh University told BBC News

that genetic modification is potentially a much better way of protecting
against diseases than vaccination because the GM technique works even
if the virus mutates.

"It will protect a whole flock from avian influenza

infection. This is really exciting because bird flu is a real challenge
to poultry production and if it were introduced to poultry breeding it
would protect our large scale production flocks from avian inlfuenza,"
said Professor Sang.                        

FOR MORE INFO(VIDEO) VISIT

WORLDS 1ST FLU RESISTANT CHICKEN


-- Edited by {*~*Fra$s*GeNiuS*~*} on Friday 14th of January 2011 11:33:51 AM