Genetically modified chickens immune to bird flu

Genetically modified chickens immune to bird flu

15/01/2011

How far can research go? Scientists at the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh have manipulated the genetic material of chickens so that the animals can no longer transmit the bird flu virus A / H5N1. Already sick animals die nevertheless.

The science team around Laurence Tiley are currently reporting in the journal „Science“, that they have transplanted an artificially created tiny molecule into the genetic material of chickens, which produces a genetic material molecule in the cells of the experimental animals. According to the researchers, this newly formed RNA molecule (RNA, ribonucleic acid) blocks the protein substance polymerase, which is important for the A / H5N1 pathogen, and which is incessant for the multiplication of viruses. Genetic engineering is designed to prevent the bird flu virus from multiplying and jumping over to other animals. If a genetically manipulated chicken becomes infected with the virus, the pathogens in the body cells of the animal can no longer multiply. This is due to the described polymerase, which is now blocked by the RNA molecule. Thus, the multiplication of viruses is stopped and the A / H5N1 virus can no longer infect other animals. The already infected animals die, whereas the healthy ones were not infected.

The scientists speak of themselves „encouraging results“, although further research would be needed to confirm the results. Explicitly, the scientists point out that the previously genetically modified chickens are not yet suitable for the market. "Our chickens are only for research, not for consumption," wrote study leader Tiley. (Science magazine "Science" (Vol. 331, p. 223).

Avian influenza Pandemic alert level 3
The World Health Organization (WHO) has still set the pandemic alert level to three for bird flu. This level means waiting for the outbreak of a pandemic since 2006, as it is believed that at some point the virus will mutate. Because the pathogen can be transmitted not only from animal to animal, but also from animals to humans. This in turn could lead to a significant increase in the risk of infection.

An increased interest in the results should not be so much with the WHO, but rather with the agri-food industry. In ever larger mass animal production facilities more and more animals are being crammed together. Just the size of a DIN A4 sheet is given to the animals to life. The animals suffer in places of constant stress and as a result of a weakened immune system. If only one animal is infected, the infection rate is enormous and all animals must be killed. This in turn means a high financial risk for the mass animal.

Opposite the English TV station „BBC“ The participating researcher Helen Sang from Edinburgh was very pleased in view of the successful study. Because the manipulation of the genes could possibly be a better protection against virus infections, than any influenza vaccination. It could even be that genetic manipulation works even if the bird flu virus already mutated. For poultry farms, the applied genetic engineering is a cost effective and „efficient method“. This method can be used in the near future against all sorts of diseases, not only against the H5N1 virus. For most animals in masses do not suffer from the bird flu virus, but due to the attitude often harmless actually infections, which is a high „explosive breeding grounds for germs of disease ", in which even harmless germs can become a serious health problem, as animal rights activists of" animal & human "repeatedly criticize.To defuse this situation, apparently a completely genetically modified animal to be created, allegedly against all Viral strains becomes immune.

Progress in terms of factory farming or health?
It is completely unclear to this day how such a serious intervention affects the genetic material of the animals. Thus, it remains unclear how the manipulations affect the consumption of animals in humans. There is still the critical consumer who does not readily eat genetically modified chickens. But instead of relying on the poultry industry for sustainable and organic farming, more and more research is being done to make mass animal production cost-cutting and profitable. It is currently difficult for the authorities to approve the procedure, but interest groups are already in the starting blocks to support genetic engineering in the field of genetic engineering „chicken production“ advance. According to veterinarians with an intact immune system, for example, healthy free-range animals naturally develop protective antibodies against the more harmless H5N2 virus. Gene manipulation of the animals would be another step towards unnaturalness with still unpredictable consequences for animals and humans. (Sb)

Also read:
Dangerous bird flu virus or harmless?
Bird flu viruses detected
Pros and cons of genetic diagnosis

Picture: schemmi