Chickens pair close-up 2
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Chickens photographed in a UK animal research establishment in October 2007. Chickens are used in research to find out more about avian flu viruses. Chicken eggs are used to study developmental problems (eg limb development and 'hole in the heart'). Please acknowledge © Understanding Animal Research.
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Birds (mostly chickens or their eggs) account for around 4% of all the animals used in medical research in the UK. The first detailed analysis of the chicken genome in 2004 showed that chickens could tell scientists much about the way we age, as well as their eggs being important models for the early development of human foetuses. Chickens are also used to find out more about avian flu viruses and the search for a vaccine against the H5N1 virus. Their eggs arre used to produce flu vaccines. Scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh have created a breed of GM hens that can produce cancer-fighting medicines in their eggs. This research could cut the cost of producing such drugs.
