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medpundit |
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Sunday, October 30, 2005The research team is following three parallel approaches. One involves inserting a working copy of a gene that makes an antiviral protein called Mx, which is defective in many chicken breeds, and should improve their ability to fight off H5N1 and other strains. The second approach is to harness a technique called RNA interference, in which small fragments of the genetic signalling chemical RNA are used to disrupt the workings of the flu virus. By engineering chicken cells to make small RNA molecules that confuse the flu virus, the scientists hope to confer resistance to a wide variety of strains. The third strategy is similar to the second, but involves using RNA molecules as decoys, which trick the flu virus into copying them rather than itself. All three could potentially be incorporated in the same GM chickens. And just wondering. Is it logistically impossible to vaccinate chicken flocks? UPDATE: Michael Fumento says it is possible, and already being done: Nope. It's being done. Vietnam has announced a goal of vaccinating all of its poultry and Indonesia says it has vaccinated 21 million birds. All the countries with severe problems NOW have vaccination programs. Of course, you can't get every last bird but that's why they came up with the term "flock immunity"..... Or "herd immunity" - from vaccinating cattle. posted by Sydney on 10/30/2005 08:42:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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