The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) project is producing genetically modified chickens by using up to date technology from the plant world.

The Geelong Advertiser stated that the goal of the respective project is for the chickens to breed disease-resistant offspring, thus creating a line of poultry that's immune from getting the deadly flu virus.

Former CSIRO AAHL director, Martyn Jeggo, who recently retired and has since taken a part-time position as a chef for the Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, said that the global impact of the project can't be overstated.

"If this avian influenza stuff works you'll want to be in Geelong. Right now, is the first time we have ever produced a resistant animal to a major disease like this. 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," Dr. Jeggo said.

Dr. Jeggo also explained that CSIRO plant scientists discovered that RNAI molecules could turn off genes in plants to foster changes such as bigger ears of corn, stronger stalks and even drought resistance.

"Interfering with RNAs is the real answer to vaccines and disease-resistant animals, cancer, a whole range of important things. In CSIRO Plant Industries a lot of the pioneering work has been done for a lot of this ... which is why we (CSIRO AAHL) are now the lead group in producing an influenza-resistant chicken," he added.

RNA interference is a measure used that allowed scientists to manipulate particular genes, which led to the production of transgenic chickens.

"It's a whole complicated process to be able to show that and then being able to breed from them. The next generation of chickens will inherit higher levels of RNAi, which is why they are called GMOs (genetically modified organisms), because it's an inheritable trait ... the capability is passed on," said Dr Lowenthal, head of animal biosecurity research."

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