Applications of genetic engineering technology in feline medicine.

Genetic engineering technology is a rapidly developing field that has almost unlimited potential for the production of safer and more effective vaccines, therapeutic proteins, and more specific and sensitive diagnostic reagents. Although applications in veterinary medicine of genetically engineered products are presently limited by availability of species-specific reagents, the use of recombinant DNA products is increasing. Because of the recent discovery of FIV and the relevance of FIV as an animal model for the study of human immunodeficiency virus, feline genetic research is gaining in importance. Research using FIV as a human AIDS model ideally will yield many new species-specific feline recombinant DNA products that have important applications in feline medicine and research.