Turkeys could turn out to be lifesavers


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PROVO — The bird you eat on Thanksgiving could hold the key to curing disease.

Brigham Young University microbiologist Dr. Joel Griffits is not an expert on turkeys. But he has become an expert on a certain bacteria produced by the bird.

"Bacteria that we found in turkeys make an antibiotic that is not in common use," Griffits said.

The MP1 antibiotic can pack a punch. It could kill staph infections, strep throat and about half of all bacteria infections. Griffits said scientists are "trying to understand how the good bacteria found in turkeys protect them and potentially protect us from other bacteria that cause disease."

But Griffits and his research staff said they are just in the beginning stages of making that bacteria into a usable antibiotic. It's not as simple as just eating more turkey in the hopes of getting the "super" bacteria, but Griffts said some might try.

"I'm sure a rogue microbiologist might be tempted to find good bacteria and incorporate them into their meals, though I would not recommend it," he said.

Griffits said they need to learn the tricks of the good bacteria, but it will require a lot of work in the future to develop new compounds.

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