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Newcastle disease in its virulent form is endemie in many countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Existing control strategies, particularly in village flocks, could be improved through the use of biotechnology. A recombinant vaccine, using a virus from the Avipox genus, would provide better heat stability and immunogenicity. Genetic improvement of chickens to make them more resistant to Newcastle disease or to respond better immunologically could be envisaged through gene transfer using a retrovirus. Immunoassays could be of value in diagnosis and vaccination control.