In a revolutionary study published on October 10 in Nature Communications, researchers achieved substantial strides in the fight against avian influenza by genetically altering hens to be virus resistant. The research was carried out by specialists from multiple institutions and concentrated on modifying a particular gene known as ANP32A, which is essential for the reproduction of avian flu viruses.
Avian flu outbreaks pose a significant threat to poultry farms worldwide, often leading to devastating consequences, such as mass culling of birds. While the study isn't yet 100 percent effective in preventing infections, it represents a crucial step forward in developing chickens that are resistant to avian flu. Traditional vaccines exist to protect poultry from flu, but they are expensive, and the virus can quickly adapt to evade the protection they offer. Genetic editing, on the other hand, provides a promising avenue for creating permanent changes that render animals resistant to specific diseases.
This study is very crucial to helping fight against the avian flu to help prevent the death of more chickens. Altering the genes to help become virus resistant is a very important discovery and it could even lead to more ways we can fight diseases through genetic altering
Links: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/gene-editing-chicken-resistant-bird-flu
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41476-3
I found your post very informative. I found it interesting that so much can be achieved just by a gene which in this case is the ANP32A gene. I agree that the problem of avian flu outbreaks is very important. Chicken is consumed almost everywhere and if avian flu outbreaks continue to occur then this can be very problematic for everyone's health.
ReplyDeleteIf chickens can be made resistant to bird flu then that is good news for livestock farmers and everyone because chicken is a major part of the average humans diet. Also, the ANP32A gene that has can be edited to make chickens more resistant to bird flu is interesting.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very fascinating, gene editing techniques can be used to modify the genetic code of organisms. in which I feel like scientists can potentially make chickens resistant to bird flu by introducing specific modification that enhance their natural defenses against the virus. I feel like the breakthrough could have a significant impact on poultry health and help prevent the spread of bird flu.
ReplyDeleteChicken is a poultry that plays a big role in the average human's diet. This flu, while affecting chickens, can also have an effect on those consuming it. Gene editing is a tool with so many potential benefits that are still being studied, so reading about how it is beneficial in becoming virus resistant is really significant. The research conducted can also be applied on humans with some more research and studying, and that is fascinating to think about.
ReplyDeleteNew research being done on chickens is so interesting! They are a vital part of our diet, but as you said a whole flock can easily die to the bird flu. The gene editing of the poultry chicken could help make them more resilient after loosing diversity after being domesticated for so long.
ReplyDeleteJust sit back for a moment and consider how far technology has come. Quite literally modifying a gene, essentially making it more resistant to a disease. It’s already astonishing how this can be done in plants, but in animals too? The endless future possibilities that this technology can be used for is exciting and I can’t wait for what comes next.
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