Excerpt

Translational research, in which knowledge derived from molecular and cellular biology is being applied in studies involving systems and integrative biology, is burgeoning. Those applications rely heavily on the use of animals, particularly rodents. Indeed, between 1990 and 2002, there was a 60% increase in the number of competitive grants that utilize animals.

All those factors in the aggregate have affected the need for veterinarians with specialty training in biomedical research, and the supply of veterinarians with this training has not kept pace with demand. Compounding the increased need for veterinary scientists' involvement in biomedical research is the ever-increasing requirement of veterinarian oversight of compliance with state and federal regulations regarding animal-based research. This report is intended to document the need for veterinarians with specialty training and to recommend ways to alleviate the veterinary personnel shortage.

Contents

• The National Academies
• Committee on Increasing Veterinary Involvement in Biomedical Research
• Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Council
• Preface
• Executive Summary
  • PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
  • LIMITATIONS OF THE CURRENT STUDY
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
• 1. Introduction
  • MISSION OF THE VETERINARY PROFESSION
  • VETERINARIANS AS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
  • VETERINARIANS IN ROLES THAT SUPPORT BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
  • SCOPE OF THIS STUDY
  • DEFINING THE POPULATION OF VETERINARIANS INVOLVED IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
• 2. Adequacy of the Current Comparative Medicine Veterinary Workforce
  • LABORATORY ANIMAL MEDICINE VETERINARY WORKFORCE
  • VETERINARY PATHOLOGISTS
  • VETERINARIANS AS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
• 3. The Future of the Comparative Medicine Veterinary Workforce
  • SUPPLY OF COMPARATIVE MEDICINE VETERINARIANS ENTERING THE WORKFORCE
  • ADDITIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE DEMAND FOR COMPARATIVE MEDICINE VETERINARIANS
• 4. General Conclusions and Recommendations
  • RAISING AWARENESS
  • ACQUAINTING STUDENTS WITH CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN COMPARATIVE MEDICINE
  • VETERINARY-SCHOOL RECRUITMENT
  • CHANGES IN VETERINARY-SCHOOL CURRICULUM
  • MENTORING
  • FINANCIAL ISSUES
  • POSTGRADUATE TRAINING
  • ATTRACTING VETERINARIANS INTO ROLES THAT SUPPORT BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
• References
• Appendixes
  • A Specialized Veterinary Manpower Needs Through 1990
  • B Biomedical Models and Resources: Current Needs and Future Opportunities
  • C The Supply and Demand for Laboratory Animal Veterinarians from 1980 to 2005
  • D Biographical Sketches of Committee Members

This study was supported by the American College for Laboratory Animal Medicine, the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the American Veterinary Medical Association, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Co., Pfizer, Inc, and Contract No. N01-OD-4-2139, Task Order 87 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Institutes of Health.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.