Australian scientists are paving way for disease-proof animals that could eliminate bird flu and other diseases.
According to the Geelong Advertiser, the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) project is producing genetically modified chickens using cutting-edge science from the plant world, the Herald Sun reported.
Bird Flu
Bird flu (avian influenza/avian flu) is a disease caused by an influenza virus (H5N1) that primarily affects birds but can infect humans also.
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It is hoped the CSIRO super-chickens will breed disease-resistant offspring, creating a line of poultry which is immune to the deadly flu.
Former CSIRO AAHL director, Martyn Jeggo, who has recently retired and taken up a part-time post as chief of the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, said that the global implications of the project could not be overstated.
![Quiz on Flu]( "Quiz on Flu")
Influenza (or rather, the flu) is a cold weather infectious condition that affects the young and old alike. Though most reported cases are mild, the flu can sometimes cause severe and life-threatening complications in both children and adults, thanks to wrong medications and improper vaccinations. Learn more about the disease from our Flu Quiz and guard yourself and your family from a poss
"Right now, is the first time we have ever produced a resistant animal to a major disease like this," Dr Jeggo said.
"If we can do it for one, why the hell can't we do it for every other disease? This is a proof-of-concept project which is massive, massive, massive," he said.
Source: ANI
Quiz on Flu
Influenza (or rather, the flu) is a cold weather infectious condition that affects the young and old alike. Though most reported cases are mild, the flu can sometimes cause severe and life-threatening complications in both children and adults, thanks to wrong medications and improper vaccinations. Learn more about the disease from our Flu Quiz and guard yourself and your family from a poss
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"Right now, is the first time we have ever produced a resistant animal to a major disease like this," Dr Jeggo said.
"If we can do it for one, why the hell can't we do it for every other disease? This is a proof-of-concept project which is massive, massive, massive," he said.
Source: ANI
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