Critical Needs for Research in Veterinary Science - Softcover

National Research Council; Division On Earth And Life Studies; Board On Agriculture And Natural Resources; Committee On The National Needs For Research In Veterinary Science

Softcover

ISBN 10: 030909660X ISBN 13: 9780309096607

Publisher: National Academies Press, 2005

Synopsis

Research in veterinary science is critical for the health and well-being of animals, including humans. Food safety, emerging infectious diseases, the development of new therapies, and the possibility of bioterrorism are examples of issues addressed by veterinary science that have an impact on both human and animal health. However, there is a lack of scientists engaged in veterinary research. Too few veterinarians pursue research careers, and there is a shortage of facilities and funding for conducting research. This report identifies questions and issues that veterinary research can help to address, and discusses the scientific expertise and infrastructure needed to meet the most critical research needs. The report finds that there is an urgent need to provide adequate resources for investigators, training programs, and facilities involved in veterinary research.Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Summary
• 1 The Role of Veterinary Research in Human Society
• 2 Progress and Opportunities in Veterinary Research
• 3 Setting and Implementing an Agenda for Veterinary Research
• 4 Resources for Veterinary Research
• 5 An Assessment of Current and Projected Resource Needs for Research in Veterinary Science
• References
• Appendix A Statement of Task
• Appendix B Committee Biographies
• Appendix C Workshop on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science
• Appendix D Bioterrorism Agents
• Appendix E University Centers for Agricultural Biosecurity
• Appendix F Student Enrollment and Faculty Size in Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in the United States
• Appendix G Research Expenditures for 27 Colleges of Veterinary Medicine
• Appendix H Relationship Between Research Expenditures of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Co-Location with Relevant Research Facilities
• Appendix I Institutions or Organizations that Contribute Major Resources to Wildlife and Aquatic Health, Food Safety, and Well-Being
• Appendix J R29, R37, and T32 Grants Awarded to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Departments of Veterinary Sciences, FY 1993-FY 2003
• Appendix K Research Facilities of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Its Partners
• Appendix L Issues and Concerns about Recruiting Students for Research Careers in Veterinary Science from AAVMC Symposium on Veterinary Graduate Education
• Appendix M Recommendations in the NRC Report National Needs and Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research that Apply Broadly to Veterinary Research
• Appendix N Examples of Funding Opportunities for Veterinary Research

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Committee on the National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science, National Researech Council

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

CRITICAL NEEDS FOR RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE

NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS

Copyright © 2005 National Academy of Sciences
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-309-09660-7

Contents

SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................................11 THE ROLE OF VETERINARY RESEARCH IN HUMAN SOCIETY......................................................................................................................13History.................................................................................................................................................................15Contemporary Issues in Veterinary Science...............................................................................................................................17The Structure of this Report............................................................................................................................................192 PROGRESS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN VETERINARY RESEARCH.....................................................................................................................21Public Health and Food Safety...........................................................................................................................................21Animal Health and Welfare...............................................................................................................................................27Comparative Medicine....................................................................................................................................................39Emerging Issues in Veterinary Science...................................................................................................................................44Conclusion..............................................................................................................................................................503 SETTING AND IMPLEMENTING AN AGENDA FOR VETERINARY RESEARCH............................................................................................................51Public Health and Food Safety...........................................................................................................................................53Animal Health and Welfare...............................................................................................................................................58Comparative Medicine....................................................................................................................................................72Emerging Issues in Veterinary Science...................................................................................................................................744 RESOURCES FOR VETERINARY RESEARCH.....................................................................................................................................83Overarching Resources...................................................................................................................................................84Schools and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine.............................................................................................................................85Colleges of Agriculture.................................................................................................................................................100Colleges of Medicine and Other Medical Research Institutes..............................................................................................................104Wildlife and Aquatic Health Institutions................................................................................................................................105Zoological Institutions.................................................................................................................................................107National Institutes of Health...........................................................................................................................................109US Department of Agriculture............................................................................................................................................120Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..............................................................................................................................131Department of Defense...................................................................................................................................................136Food and Drug Administration............................................................................................................................................138National Science Foundation.............................................................................................................................................140Private-Sector Research Resources.......................................................................................................................................1425 AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT AND PROJECTED RESOURCE NEEDS FOR RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE..............................................................................145Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Research-A "One-Medicine" Approach..................................................................................................146Human Resources.........................................................................................................................................................150Education and Training..................................................................................................................................................154Facilities and Infrastructure...........................................................................................................................................159Financial Resources.....................................................................................................................................................164Epilogue................................................................................................................................................................167REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................................169APPENDIXESA Statement of Task.....................................................................................................................................................181B Committee Biographies.................................................................................................................................................183C Workshop on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science.........................................................................................................189D Bioterrorism Agents...................................................................................................................................................191E University Centers for Agricultural Biosecurity.......................................................................................................................193F Student Enrollment and Faculty Size in Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in the United States...........................................................................195G Research Expenditures for 27 Colleges of Veterinary Medicine..........................................................................................................197H Relationship Between Research Expenditures of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Co-Location with Relevant Research Facilities.......................................199I Institutions or Organizations that Contribute Major Resources to Wildlife and Aquatic Health, Food Saftey and Well-Being..............................................203J R29, R37, and T32 Grants Awarded to Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Departments of Veterinary Sciences FY1993-2003................................................205K Research Facilities of the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Its Partners........................................................................................209L Issues and Concerns about Recruiting Students for Research Careers in Veterinary Science from AAVMC Symposium on Veterinary Graduate Education........................215M Recommendations In the NRC Report National Need And Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research that Apply Broadly to Veterinary Research.....................217N Examples of Funding Opportunities for Veterinary Research.............................................................................................................219

Chapter One

Summary

Research in veterinary science is critical to the protection of public health and the advancement of science that benefits both humans and animals as individuals and populations. Veterinary research includes studies on prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and on the basic biology and welfare of animals. It transcends species boundaries to include the study of spontaneous and experimental models of both human and animal disease and research at important human-animal interfaces, such as food safety, wildlife and ecosystem health, zoonotic diseases, and public policy.

The rich history of veterinary research, which includes studies on infectious disease and in other biomedical sciences, is replete with seminal contributions to the improvement of animal and human well-being. The many contributions of veterinary research were the results of society's recognition of its important role and society's subsequent support in the form of human, fiscal, and infrastructural resources. The current level of support for veterinary research, however, has not kept pace with the challenges posed by new and emerging threats and the nation's growing demands for knowledge in biomedicine and animal health. That society's needs are outgrowing our knowledge base is seen in examples of missed opportunities to safeguard and improve human and animal health and welfare (Box S-1).

The capacity of veterinary research depends on the availability of human and financial resources, research facilities, and infrastructure. This report identifies some of the most critical research needs and outlines recommendations and strategies for meeting them. Failure to provide the necessary resources could have devastating effects on both human and animal welfare, impede biomedical advances, and harm the economy and society as a whole.

To prepare this report, the Committee on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science analyzed national research needs in three fields of veterinary science-public health and food safety, animal health and welfare, and comparative medicine-and looked at a number of emerging issues that fit in two or more those fields. The research needs include scientific investigation in domestic, wild, companion, service, and laboratory animals. The committee's analysis was based on a comprehensive review of published literature; information obtained from stakeholders, including the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and several veterinary specialty colleges; and comments provided by national experts at the committee-hosted Workshop on National Needs for Research in Veterinary Science. Current funding levels and sources also were analyzed. On the basis of workshop input and analyses of available data, the committee identified past and future research trends and gaps and the scientific expertise and infrastructure required to meet the most critical research needs. In accordance with its stated charge, the committee did not make specific budgetary or organizational recommendations. (See Appendixes A and B for complete statement of task and biographical information on committee members.)

CHALLENGES FOR VETERINARY RESEARCH

Veterinary research offers numerous opportunities for improving animal and human health, and unforeseeable challenges can be met best with a competent and properly equipped veterinary research community. Specific findings and critical research needs are detailed in Chapter 2 and summarized below.

Public Health and Food Safety

Foodborne disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Animals-both domesticated and wild-are frequent reservoirs of food-borne pathogens that can cause human illness. Human public health is affected not only by foodborne pathogens but also by the security of our food animals. A new awareness of the need for research on food and agricultural biosecurity arose after September 11 and the "anthrax letter" attacks later in 2001 because biosecurity research is closely related to maintaining safe agriculture and the food supply. Veterinary research on public health and food safety can contribute to:

Improving detection and surveillance of foodborne pathogens associated with livestock and poultry production.

Developing interventions to reduce their dissemination.

Understanding the development and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance among foodborne pathogens associated with animals in the food chain.

Developing preharvest and postharvest surveillance systems, diagnostic and detection systems, vaccines, immunomodulating drugs, animal and product tracking systems, and ecologically sound means of disposal of animal carcasses.

Improving our ability to detect and identify disease and pathogens in animal populations and our understanding of interactions between pathogens and hosts so that effective preventive measures and countermeasures can be developed.

A concerted research effort can reduce the recurrence of food pathogens associated with livestock and poultry and ensure the security of our food supply.

Animal Health and Welfare

The increasing demand for veterinary research in animal health and welfare has several underlying causes:

The perspective of the role of animals in human society and in the ecosystem has changed.

A secure supply of food animals-such as poultry, cows, and fish-depends on their health.

Some food-animal diseases affect human health directly (for example, some strains of high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus).

Companion and service animals have an important role in human welfare.

Laboratory animals are integral to our understanding of basic biology and physiology and are crucial for biological and medical advances.

Wildlife health is important for the maintenance of the ecosystem and for the economy.

Some emerging infectious diseases are associated with zoonoses (animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans).

Veterinary research is poised to improve human and animal health further through advances in preventive medicine, enhanced treatment for animal diseases, and a better understanding of transmission of zoonotic and other emerging diseases between wild and domestic animals and humans.

Comparative Medicine

Comparative medicine is the field that compares medical and scientific discoveries and knowledge of more than one animal species, including humans. Research in comparative medicine is invaluable for the overall medical research enterprise and for the improvement of animal health. Animal models used in biomedical research provide a whole-animal perspective that cannot be achieved at the molecular, cellular, or organ-system level. With technological advances, many new fields are emerging in comparative medicine, for example:

Comparative genetics, which aims to develop reliable molecular markers of specific genetic traits to identify carrier and affected animals.

Genome and phenome research that identifies specific genotypes associated with phenotypes.

Stem-cell research and cloning.

Genetically engineered animal models.

Biomaterial developed to treat human and animal diseases.

Continuous progress in biomedical research will depend on our ability to develop and refine animal models to advance biomedical research, to preserve valuable models, and to improve methods for developing genetically engineered animal species other than the mouse to advance understanding of select diseases.

RESEARCH AGENDA AND STRATEGIES

The committee outlined a research agenda and recommended strategies for doing the research (Chapter 3) on the basis of the critical research needs described above. The especially compelling scientific opportunities to improve the quality of life of and minimize biological threats to animals and humans include the following:

Implement the concepts of One Medicine and interdisciplinary and translational research in the broader biomedical research agenda.

-Substantially improve the integration of molecular biology, genomics, immunology, whole-animal physiology, pathophysiology, and other disciplines in clinical disease research.

-Encourage scientists, through grant-funding mechanisms and other means, to work collaboratively across disciplines, institutions, and agencies.

-Encourage research institutions to foster research environments that nurture and reward successful team-oriented investigators and research.

-Expand veterinary student involvement in ecosystem health and increase their opportunities to work collaboratively to study and understand complex systems and the intricate relationships between humans (individuals, cultures, and societies), animals (domestic and wild), and the environment.

Set priorities for research to expand our knowledge, detection, and control of infectious diseases.

-Emphasize classes of disease agents of the highest economic importance, including those most likely to cause massive epizootics or epidemics and new and emerging diseases and candidate bioterrorism agents.

-Emphasize the study and eradication of laboratory animal diseases that adversely affect the quality of biomedical data.

-Focus research on the molecular bases of virulence and on how pathogenic organisms replicate and survive in the environment, including studies of vector biology, wild-animal hosts and reservoirs, host defense factors, and host-pathogen interaction.

-Develop and validate rapid, sensitive, reliable, and where possible quantitative systems for detecting and monitoring disease-causing organisms.

Expand the study and use of bioinformatics and develop databases and other resources that are readily accessible to the scientific community to enable

-A population-level view of disease and research on the interaction between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

-Tracking of pathogen prevalence in animals, including companion, food-producing, and laboratory animals.

-Tracking of foodborne diseases.

-Maximizing the sharing and efficiency of developing, preserving, and housing important rodent and other animal models.

Quantify critical, scientifically based measures of animal health and welfare to optimize efficient, effective, sustainable, and socially responsible food-animal production and laboratory animal research.

Expand research on the human-animal bond and the overall role of animals in society.

Although the different disciplines of veterinary research are grouped in three categories-public health and food safety, animal health and welfare, and comparative medicine-the disciplines are intertwined, and many of the committee's recommendations apply to two or all three fields. For example, research in comparative medicine contributes to animal health through development of preventive medicine and treatment. Study of wildlife diseases contributes not only to wildlife health and conservation but also to public health because many human diseases are zoonotic. In short, veterinary research has interfaces with human and animal health and is interdisciplinary; therefore, collaborative and interdisciplinary research is crucial in translating scientific advances from one traditional discipline to another. However, such research may be hampered by administrative barriers, cultural barriers, and lack of economic resources. Agencies that support veterinary research have their own missions. When proposed interdisciplinary research is relevant to the mission of several agencies but does not perfectly fit the mission of any one agency, it can be difficult to get funding to support it.

Recommendation 1: The veterinary research community should facilitate and encourage collaborative research across disciplines, institutions, and agencies by reducing administrative barriers and by nurturing and rewarding successful team-oriented investigators. The community should encourage the development of a long-term national interagency strategy for veterinary research. The strategy could include a specific focus at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on integrated veterinary research via the Roadmap initiative. NIH should consider having a veterinary liaison like the veterinary-medicine and public-health liaison at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help to ensure integration of veterinary and human medical research. Other federal agencies, state agencies, private foundations, and supporters of veterinary research should recognize and provide long-term support for collaborative, integrated veterinary research.

Addressing critical issues in veterinary science requires adequate human, infrastructure, and financial resources. The infrastructure and financial resources for the conduct of veterinary research in institutions that play a major role were examined and compared with the resources needed to do the research proposed to meet societal needs (Box S-2).

The National Research Council report National Needs and Priorities for Veterinarians in Biomedical Research projected a deficit of 336 veterinary pathologists in the United States and Canada in 2007, and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists reported needs for 149 veterinary pathologists in 2004. Similar human resource needs have been reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), CDC, and the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. The shortage of veterinary researchers is due partially to declining interests in research among veterinary students, which in turn could be attributed to the following:

The long period required to attain a DVM, a PhD, and postdoctoral training.

The substantial tuition debt accrued during DVM training.

The sparse financial support for graduate students in veterinary science.

The brief exposure of veterinary students to basic science and research throughout their academic curriculum and internships.

The extended training could be partially addressed by establishing more combined-degree programs, and financial incentives could be provided to veterinary students interested in research through grants, fellowships, and possibly a loan-forgiveness program. However, stimulating students' interest in veterinary research may require a substantial change in the culture of colleges of veterinary medicine (CVMs). Academic faculties are driven to incorporate clinical learning processes into the early years of veterinary education and may not adequately integrate basic science and research in veterinary curricula. The capacity of academic veterinary curricula to incorporate and demand teaching of evidence-based medicine, including the use of research data and statistical analyses, will have a great impact on animal health and the mindset of those who support it. A consequence of failure to train the next generation of veterinary researchers adequately is that opportunities for veterinary science to address public-health needs and to improve animal and human health will be missed. A strong workforce of veterinary researchers is needed to provide the data required for informed decisions in matters that govern day-to-day activity in animal health and welfare-decisions that underlie the economic stability necessary for adequate national animal health care. Veterinary research is essential to informed decision-making by policy-makers who aim to develop effective legislation and regulations based on sound science.

Recommendation 2: Additional veterinary researchers must be trained to alleviate the demands and to meet societal needs for veterinary research. A debt-repayment initiative similar to the NIH Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program could address concerns about the large debt burden faced by graduates of CVMs. If NIH's Center for Cancer Research training initiative in comparative pathology and biomedical sciences and USDA's Agricultural Research Service PhD training program for veterinarians prove to be successful in recruiting and retaining veterinary researchers, they could be expanded and used as models for other agencies and companies.

(Continues...)

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Edition details

• Publisher: National Academies Press
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 030909660X
• ISBN 13: 9780309096607
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 238