Genetically Modified Turkeys

[SLM]

My two older boys are having an argument.

One says that there are genetically altered turkeys out there and that labs are helping to create them.

Why, for more meat.

My other son says NO, they are altered through breeding and the government wouldn't allow this. (We live in Canada)

So please, let me know what you think.

 

[sandspoultry]

First I ever heard of that.

Steve in NC

 

[Plain_View_Farm]

It wouldn't surprise me but I hadn't heard that one either...

David

 

[Bossroo]

The broadbrested turkeys were genetically selected for size over time... way before the technology for genetic engineering even existed. So, all natural.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Your broadbreast Turkeys are artificially inseminated, but that isnt genetically altering, its just getting what should be a natural thing done for them.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

There are certainly genetically modified birds out there for use in laboratory experiments, but it would be way too expensive for them to modify birds for mass consumption. Most birds sold or used for meat are generally selectively bred to be that way.

 

[SLM]

Thanks, that is what I thought.

But, hard to get a word in edgewise when those too debate.

 

[chickensioux]

I thought Broad breasted bronze/white had been genetically messed with. Why elso would they need artificial insemination? How would they survive on their own or have ever survived on their own if they were all natural and had not had human intervention at some point?

 

[Bossroo]

All types of livestock has been genetically messed with by humans for thausands of years... it is called selecting an individual animal of that species that is the most productive and suited for the person's needs and kept to breed on. Witness the descendant of the wolf in many a human home. They come in many shapes and sizes from the Great Dane to the Bulldog to the Chihuahua and many more in between. There are several breeds of dogs that CAN NOT give birth due to their scull and/ or shoulder and pelvic structure. They are delivered by Ceassarian section by Veterinarians. Less desirable animals are slaughtered for food or neutered or even simply killed at a much earlier age before they can reproduce to conserve feed, housing and labor resources. Leave any of them to their own devices into the wild and very few of them will survive for any meaningful amount of time due to predation or environmental conditions. The broadbrested turkey was selected just for that, their broad breast. Unfortunately, that characteristic impedes their natural ability for natural mating. No problem... man devised artificial insemination and millions are produced to grace our tables.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Of course they've had human intervention. BUt only in the form of selective breeding. You pick yer broadest-breasted, fastest-weight-gaining turkeys each generation to breed to produce the next generation, and when you (fairly swiftly) get to the point that they have poor fertility when left to mate naturally, you intervene by using artificial insemination to collect from the males to impregnate the females.

So they certainly did not get to be BBB or commercial BB whites on their *own*, it was artificial selection all the way -- but no 'genetic engineering', just the same things people do in breeding extreme forms of pretty much all other kinds of livestock and pets.


Pat