The overuse of antibiotics is contributing to problems of drug resistance and outbreaks of exotic parasites in poultry. Alternatives are sorely needed. Here is an approach using recombinant antibodies expressed in feed plants to passively provide "immunity" to birds. Will there be an outcry over using recombinant DNA that is one step removed from the human consumer? Are dangers (perceived and real) associated with GMF also applicable to the consumption of chickens that feed on a genetically-modified plant? Presumably, a breast or drumstick of such a bird would not contain any traces of the antibody proteins. Still a concern?
Are Antibodies better than Antibiotics?
23 September 2009
The overuse of antibiotics is contributing to problems of drug resistance and outbreaks of exotic parasites in poultry. Alternatives are sorely needed. Here is an approach using recombinant antibodies expressed in feed plants to passively provide "immunity" to birds. Will there be an outcry over using recombinant DNA that is one step removed from the human consumer? Are dangers (perceived and real) associated with GMF also applicable to the consumption of chickens that feed on a genetically-modified plant? Presumably, a breast or drumstick of such a bird would not contain any traces of the antibody proteins. Still a concern?
Competing interests
Not applicable