Methods and apparatus for producing vaccine within a plurality of eggs are
provided. Each of a plurality of eggs is illuminated with light from one or more
LEDs. A detector is positioned adjacent each egg and detects light passing therethrough.
Each egg is then identified as containing a live embryo or as being a non-live
egg. Each egg that is determined not to contain a live embryo may be removed, either
automatically or by hand. A seed virus is injected into each egg identified as
containing a live embryo. After a predetermined period of incubation each live
embryo is euthanized and amniotic fluid containing a vaccine produced as a result
of the presence of a seed virus is harvested from each euthanized egg.