Introduction:
Duringthe lasttwo decades,significantprogresshas been made in our understanding
of the molecular basis of the geneticsof growth and development. This knowledge
coupled with techniques designed to introduce foreign DNA into the genome of poultry
has the potential to enhance current breeding practices for genetic improvement. Gene
transfer into poultry could provide a means of introducing new genetic variation and
changes in genotypes that have increased economic value. However, before this
becomes a reality the means of producing transgenic poultry must become routine.
Presently, several techniques are currently in use or under development which could
take the production of transgenic poultry beyond the laboratory into the industrial
sphere.