Genetically modified chicken does not transmit bird flu

Written by Sandeep Nehra

European researchers have succeeded in genetically modifying chickens that do not transmit the virus of bird flu, according to their works published on Thursday in the journal Science.

This H5N1 virus normally affects birds but may occasionally spread to humans causing severe respiratory infections and often fatal.

The first official case in humans was detected in Hong Kong in 1997 and since late 2003 hundreds of infections were reported in the world killing a total of 240 people which raised fears that the virus could mutate and cause a pandemic.

The scientists from the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh explain that these genetically modified chickens can be infected with H5N1 but can not spread it to other poultry.

“Chickens are potential carriers of new strains of avian influenza can be transmitted to humans,” said Laurence Tiley, of the Veterinary Department of the University of Cambridge, one of the co-authors of this advance.

“Preventing the transmission of the virus between chickens should reduce the economic impact of the flu while reducing the risk to humans from being infected by these birds,” he says.

But insists this researcher, the research is still in early stages and chickens GMOs that have been developed are not intended for use only in research.

“This genetic alteration in these chickens is an important first step towards the development of chickens to be totally resistant to the virus of bird flu,” said Laurence Tiley said in a statement.

These chickens have been genetically modified with a new gene that produces a molecule mimicking a component of the virus that blocks its transmission.

“This research could also lay the groundwork for improving the economic and food security in many parts of the world where avian flu is a serious problem.” Infection of small poultry flocks in most cases force the slaughter of tens of thousands to avoid an epidemic.

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