GM Chickens Prevent Spread of Bird Flu
March 18, 2011| |
Scientists from UK universities have developed genetically modified (GM) chickens that could help prevent the spread of bird flu caused by influenza virus, which poses a threat to both poultry production and human health worldwide. These GM chickens are not resistant to the flu but they produce a decoy RNA that blocks the propagation of the influenza virus. Instead of replicating their own DNA, the virus propagates the decoy RNA. According to the scientists, the same technique could also be used on other animals such as pigs to prevent the spread of swine flu. At present, vaccines are used to protect chickens from bird flu but some scientists fear that this may further cause mutation of the influenza virus.
Read the abstract of their study at http://www.sciencemag.org/content/331/6014/223.full?ijkey=6fxFJaZxnqtno&keytype=ref&siteid=sci.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- Ministers to Review Treaty on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
- Recommendations for GM Risk Assessment Lab Studies
- Grant Establishes African Seed Institute in Kenya
- Harmonization of Seed Policies in 19 African Countries
- United Soybean Board Seeks Global Acceptance of Biotech
- ‘Tequila' Plants as Biofuel Crop
- MU Receives Grant for a Study that Could Lead to Better Corn Plants
- ISU to Offer Distance Learning for Plant Breeders
- First Five-Gene Trait Stack Technology from Dow AgroSciences For Brazil
- Bt eCry3.1A Protein in Corn Receives U.S. Temporary Exemption
- Indian Mustard May Be Alternative to Fumigation in Cotton
- Biotech Companies See Food Prices Boosting GM Crops
- Scientists to Turn Waste into Energy
- Australian OGTR Announces Application for Commercial Release of GM Canola
- Bangladesh President Calls for Biotech Research Institute
- Philippine Fertilizer and Pesticide Regulators Learn Biotech Communication Techniques
- Philippine Stakeholders Welcome New Data on Global Biotech Adoption
- Debate on GMO Risk Assessment and Management
- Ukraine Legally Establishes Criteria for Risk Assessment for Environmental Release of GMOs
-
Research Highlights
- GM Plants as Fish Feed Ingredient
- Scientists Introduce cry1Ab into Cotton to Enhance Pest Resistance
- Plasticity of Plants Helps them Adapt to Climate Change
-
Beyond Crop Biotech
- GM Chickens Prevent Spread of Bird Flu
-
Announcements
- World Cotton Research Conference (WCRC-5)
- EFSA to Hold Consultative Workshop on Comparators for GM Plants
- Philippine DA Offers Biotech Research Fellowships
-
Resources
- Impacts of GM Crops on Biodiversity
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 17, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 10, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet