The future of veterinary parasitology: a time for change?
The future of veterinary parasitology is discussed at a time when R&D funding from the pharmaceutical industry is declining, yet the opportunities for veterinary parasitologists to diversify their activities has never been greater. Emerging and re-emerging areas requiring input from veterinary parasitologists include: veterinary public health; conservation and wildlife diseases; emerging and exotic infectious diseases; surveillance strategies; economic effects of parasitic diseases; aquaculture; molecular epidemiology; dietary and biological control of parasitic diseases; animal welfare; organic agricultural systems; novel vaccination strategies; drug target characterisation and rational drug design. Without change, the survival of veterinary parasitology as a viable, distinct discipline is under threat. In this environment, veterinary parasitologists must be adaptable, imaginative and pro-active in terms of setting the agendas for establishing strategic alliances, promoting research needs and developing research programs.
Thompson
R C
RC
Centre for Biomolecular Control of Disease, Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia. andrew_t@numbat.murdoch.edu.au
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010274:Parasitology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents