this Avian influenza is the most common disease among poultry. Despite research, no clear cure has been found, which is why British scientists are testing chicken DNA.
this WHO, FAO and OIE They urge countries to take action against bird flu, which is why the UK-based Roslin Institute, Imperial College London and Pirbright are already working on gene editing.
Controlling diseases through gene editing
Using gene editing technology to identify and Modify part of the chicken’s DNA, It limits the spread of a potentially deadly virus in chickens, meaning it may be part of the bird but is not life-threatening.
Mike McGrew, Roslin Institute conducted this study and mentioned that gene editing offers a promising route to permanently fight disease, protect poultry, and reduce human health risks.
Research to stop bird flu
The study has been published in the nutrition and food portal Nature, with data from “First proof of concept” Breeding chickens resistant to influenza A virus (IAV).
Another person responsible for the investigation, Wendy Buckley declares that he still does notOr have the perfect combination of gene editing brought to the scene; however, they are getting closer to finding a powerful drug to control bird flu.
How is the test conducted?
The first thing the researchers detailed is that these tests do not endanger the health and lives of the birds they use gene editing technology Change the part responsible for making DNA A protein called ANP32A.
When chickens edited with this gene were exposed to normal doses of the H9N2-UDL avian influenza strain, Nine times out of ten there is no infection Nor are they spread to other birds.
Good results have been shown; however, the effects of higher doses of the virus on gene-edited birds are being further explored, bringing the figure to five in 10.
Gene editing also helps limit the spread of the virus to one of four non-gene-edited chickens in the same incubator. “There was no transmission to the gene-edited birds.”
Project researchers.
animal welfare and food safety
Gene editing is emerging as an invention to stop bird flu, while also improving animal welfare, This is the main goal of the project.
For now, researchers in the UK will continue testing to see how other poultry respond and find the right dose 100% avoid bird flu.