India develops transgenic chicken

India has developed a transgenic chicken variety that is not only fleshier than normal breeds sold in poultry shops, but can also be used in the treatment of diseases.

Scientists said the transgenic chicken marks the first successful genetically-modified (GM) poultry or livestock in the country. India, which is yet to allow the use of genetically-modified seeds in food crops, has been trying to develop transgenic varieties of fish.

The breakthrough research could help boost production in a country that ranks among the world's top three egg producers and among the 20 biggest poultry producers. Its annual domestic consumption of poultry and poultry products is worth more than Rs300 billion (US$6.8 billion.)

The tool used to genetically modify the chicken was developed by a team of three scientists at the Hyderabad-based Project Directorate on Poultry after two years of research using a gene of jellyfish and spermatozoa of a specific variety of chicken from the institute.

Transgenic chickens have already been developed in the US, Canada, the UK and China, according to scientists.

Scientists added that transgenic birds can produce up to 300 eggs over 72 weeks, more than twice the number of eggs produced by normal varieties of chickens.

The institute hatched 263 chicks in its study group, of which 16 were found to be transgenic. The efficiency of the institute's method of producing transgenic varieties is about 6%, a statement said.