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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Anim Sci / A commentary on domestic animals as dual-purpose models that...
Journal of animal science2008; 86(10); 2797-2805; doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1088

A commentary on domestic animals as dual-purpose models that benefit agricultural and biomedical research.

Abstract: Research on domestic animals (cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, horses, and aquatic species) at land grant institutions is integral to improving the global competitiveness of US animal agriculture and to resolving complex animal and human diseases. However, dwindling federal and state budgets, years of stagnant funding from USDA for the Competitive State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Research Initiative (CSREES-NRI) Competitive Grants Program, significant reductions in farm animal species and in numbers at land grant institutions, and declining enrollment for graduate studies in animal science are diminishing the resources necessary to conduct research on domestic species. Consequently, recruitment of scientists who use such models to conduct research relevant to animal agriculture and biomedicine at land grant institutions is in jeopardy. Concerned stakeholders have addressed this critical problem by conducting workshops, holding a series of meetings with USDA and National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials, and developing a white paper to propose solutions to obstacles impeding the use of domestic species as dual-purpose animal models for high-priority problems common to agriculture and biomedicine. In addition to shortfalls in research support and human resources, overwhelming use of mouse models in biomedicine, lack of advocacy from university administrators, long-standing cultural barriers between agriculture and human medicine, inadequate grantsmanship by animal scientists, and a scarcity of key reagents and resources are major roadblocks to progress. Solutions will require a large financial enhancement of USDA's Competitive Grants Program, educational programs geared toward explaining how research using agricultural animals benefits both animal agriculture and human health, and the development of a new mind-set in land grant institutions that fosters greater cooperation among basic and applied researchers. Recruitment of outstanding scientists dedicated to using domestic animal models for agricultural and biomedical research, strong incentives for scientists to take advantage of training opportunities to write NIH grants, and greater NIH and USDA cooperation to sponsor the use of agricultural animals as dual-purpose animal models that benefit agriculture and biomedicine will also be necessary. In conclusion, the broad diversity of animal models needed for agricultural and biomedical research is at risk unless research priorities at the land grant universities are critically evaluated and financial support for such research is dramatically increased.
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Publication Date: 2008-06-20 PubMed ID: 18567718DOI: 10.2527/jas.2008-1088Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • N.I.H.
  • Extramural
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the concerns and proposed solutions concerning the use of domestic animals as dual-purpose models. This is relevant to both animal agriculture and biomedical research, but the lack of support and resources are hampering this crucial sector.

Dwindling Resources for Animal Research

  • The research opens by primarily focusing on the problems facing the study of domestic animals in institutions such as land grants. It turns out that several factors – including reduced federal and state budgets and stagnant funding – have caused resources for these studies to dwindle over time.
  • The decrease in farm animal species and numbers at these institutions also pose a significant challenge as it reduces the scope of the research that can be conducted. There has also been a noticeable decline in graduate studies in animal science which, in turn, limits the number of researchers available to carry out these studies in the future.

Obstacles to Dual-Purpose Animal Models

  • The overwhelming preference for mouse models in biomedical research is identified as one of the significant issues. This is due to their acceptance and standardization in the scientific community, making it harder for researchers to justify the use of domestic animals as dual-purpose models.
  • Other roadblocks include limited support from university administrators, long-standing cultural barriers between agriculture and human medicine, and a lack of competent grant writing by animal scientists. Additionally, the scarcity of necessary reagents and resources is also viewed as a significant obstacle.

Proposed Solutions and Enhancements

  • Important proposed solutions include financial enhancement of USDA’s Competitive Grants Program and redirecting educational programs.
  • Researchers and stakeholders must be educated on the benefits of research involving agricultural animals to both animal agriculture and human health. There also needs to be a shift in institutional mindset towards greater cooperation between basic and applied researchers.
  • The recruitment of exceptionally talented scientists dedicated to using domestic animal models is also proposed, along with stronger incentives for scientists to acquire the necessary training to write NIH grants.
  • Ultimately, a more cooperative environment between the NIH and USDA could foster the use of agricultural animals as dual-purpose models to benefit agriculture and biomedicine.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

  • In the absence of critical evaluation and substantial increases in financial support for animal research, the diversity of animal models needed for both agricultural and biomedical research is hanging in the balance.
  • Therefore, it is imperative to apply the proposed solutions to avert these challenges and ensure the future viability and productivity of agricultural and biomedical research.

Cite This Article

APA
Ireland JJ, Roberts RM, Palmer GH, Bauman DE, Bazer FW. (2008). A commentary on domestic animals as dual-purpose models that benefit agricultural and biomedical research. J Anim Sci, 86(10), 2797-2805. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2008-1088

Publication

Journal of animal science
ISSN: 1525-3163
NlmUniqueID: 8003002
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 86
Issue: 10
Pages: 2797-2805

Researcher Affiliations

Ireland, J J
  • Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1225, USA. ireland@msu.edu
Roberts, R M
    Palmer, G H
      Bauman, D E
        Bazer, F W

          MeSH Terms

          • Agriculture / education
          • Agriculture / organization & administration
          • Animals
          • Animals, Domestic
          • Biomedical Research / economics
          • Biomedical Research / education
          • Biomedical Research / organization & administration
          • Biomedical Research / standards
          • Genomics
          • Humans
          • National Institutes of Health (U.S.)
          • United States
          • Universities / economics
          • Universities / organization & administration
          • Veterinary Medicine

          Grant Funding

          • 1 U13 HD049212-01 / NICHD NIH HHS

          Citations

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