Science Daily( January 14, 2011) Summary: Researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh have found a way for chickens to stop transmitting avian flu to one another. This could pntentially stop all bird flu outbreaks, and stop this strain of flu from entering the human population. Though the scientists do not know what the effects on humans will be, they are hopefull. To make this achievable the researchers entered a new gene that acts as a "decoy." This decoy acts like a very important part of the bird flu virus. Instead of recognizing the viral genome, the virus recognizes the "decoy." Which in turn prevents the virus from replicating. When chickens were infected with the disease, the research shows that they did not pass the virus to the other chickens who were kept in the same pen; whether they were transgenic or not.
Opinion: I think it is excellent that scientists have found a way to prevent avian flu from being transmitted. I see it as we all eat chicken, so if there is a way for prevention, why should we put ourselves at risk? Also the fact that two different scientists have the same opinion on the matter, makes me feel like the experiment will succeed. With chickens being kept in such tight quarters things are bound to be spread that could not only kill them but us too. I don't really want to take that risk.
Questions:
1.Do you think that theses GM chickens will one day be safe for consumption?
2. What are the possibilities of the avian flu eventually getting into the human population?
3. Is it possible we ourselves have consumed GMO animals, and do you think the effects are good or bad?
This is really interesting and I'm curious to see what the outcome will be. This is a huge break through, and hopefully their won't be any downsides or negative impacts. They should test it more to make sure it is safe for humans.
ReplyDelete1. I think after many tests and changes eventually the GM chickens will be safe.
I think that it is great scientists might have found a way to prevent chickens from spreading diseases. Since chickens are a huge food source, this would have a positive effect on farmers because they would not have to worry about their chickens being sick and dying. However, after learning that the effect of GMO's on humans is still unknown, I do not think all chickens should have this GMO because if it had a negative impact on humans, hundreds of millions would be effected.
ReplyDelete1. I hoping they would because it would have such a positive effect on humans. However, alot of testing would need to be done because chickens are consumed worldwide everyday.
This is fantastic! Soon no animals will spread disease. This is one great GMO. I especially like it since a lot of people eat chicken including me. Knowing that i will not get sick from it is great. If this chicken is as good for us as a normal chicken then i hope all chickens have this GMO.
ReplyDelete1. I hope they will because this will be a giant step in fighting viruses. Soon humans and animals will not get sick. This is wonderful
This is great that bird flu can be stopped from infecting humans, but what effect does this really have. Chickens can still spread salmonella can't they? This only cover one disease, and while it's great, I think as long as people cook their chickens the right way they don't have much to worry about. I think this is better for countries who actually have to worry about bird flu. If people already have it from the birds in other countries, this could really help the general population's health. It depends and I guess scientists will have to wait to see what the results are before moving on to preventing other diseases.
ReplyDeleteQuestions:
3. It's definitely possible. Unless one lives in a family that shops completely and totally organic, then GMO food has definitely been consumed at one time or another.