Gene editing offers potential for creating chickens with resistance to avian influenza.

A new study in Nature Communications suggests a high-tech strategy to reduce avian influenza transmission from wild birds to poultry farms, mitigating economic losses and health risks.

Avian influenza is a global threat affecting wild bird species, agriculture, and humans. Poultry vaccination remains unreliable due to viral changes and associated controversies. 

The new study targeted the ANP32A gene in chicken germ cells, rendering adult chickens resilient to low-dose influenza A exposure but not to a 1,000-fold higher dose. 

Health and egg production remained unaffected during the two-year monitoring.

While this approach shows promise, further study is crucial to ensure animal welfare and to eliminate the risk of viral evolution through multiple ANP32 gene edits.

Genome editing can unlock research opportunities but requires safeguards against unintended modifications. 

Balancing targeted edits with potential consequences is vital. This study found no adverse effects, but further research is likely required.

The study acknowledges that targeting the ANP32A gene alone may not be sufficient, as alternative ANP32 family members enabled the virus to infect host cells.

Although engineering chickens for avian influenza resistance is valuable, it may not be a standalone solution, as wild waterfowl can spread the virus globally. 

Additionally, the virus's mutability poses challenges to engineered traits' long-term effectiveness.