Protecting Poultry: European researchers increase HPAI resistance in chickens with gene editing

Researcher in the United Kingdom have discovered a way to better protect chickens from High-Path Avian Influenza (HPAI) through gene editing.

This new research comes as the European Food Safety Authority is recommending avian influenza vaccines for high risk flocks.

Researchers made specific changes to a gene that is essential to support flu viruses inside a chicken. The scientists were able to edit the gene to stop the growth of HPAI. Trials showed almost all of the gene edited chickens showed resistance to lower doses of the virus.

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