At first glance, there would appear to be only the most tenuous of connections between veterinary medicine and international trade and security policy. Why would a veterinarian trained in infectious diseases be interested in crossing disciplines and studying trade and security policy with experts at the Center for International Trade and Security? University of Georgia veterinarian Corrie Brown would reply that the answers are emerging and in the news—foot-and-mouth disease, agro-terror, mad cow disease, SARS, and bird flu, to name a few.
Brown, a renowned pathologist and veterinarian, is participating in a year-long second discipline study at UGA. Working with the faculty at the Center for International Trade and Security, Brown is exploring the role of public policy and international trade as it relates to animal disease transmission.
“As diseases cross borders and oceans, there is a growing need for veterinarians to understand the systems, rationale, and mechanics of public policy, on national and global scales,” explains Brown. “Understanding how other countries operate with respect to animal health will be a requirement for tomorrow’s veterinarian, as the term “foreign” disease becomes less relevant.”
Animal health, once the province of each individual nation, has become global. Today, the chicken drumstick you eat in Atlanta is as likely to come from Brazil as it is from Georgia. The lamb shank you order in Boston has an equal probability of originating in Colorado as in New Zealand. As trade barriers have evaporated, food is purchased at the lowest possible price for the highest possible quality. And as the trade in animals and animal products continues to increase, so does the potential for diseases to make incursions into new areas. The last ten years have witnessed many examples of diseases moving accidentally to new areas to create considerable upheaval.
A deliberate introduction by terrorists could have even greater consequences.
“Ten years ago, it was enough to be able to recognize the disease, perform the diagnostic technology, undertake the control program, develop surveillance plans, and perhaps administer vaccine,” said Brown. “Today, controlling the disease in one country or region is not enough.”
In collaboration with CITS, Brown is hoping to bridge the gap between the technical capabilities of veterinary medicine and the strategy expertise of the policy specialists in order to implement scientifically sound policy.
“We can’t expect to implement scientifically sound policy for animal health until the scientists and the regulators understand each other and work together,” Brown said.
Competing
in a Global Economy
The University of Georgia is at the forefront of the globalization
movement in higher education with a wealth of opportunities for
international experiences. Our students are flocking to study-abroad
programs, thriving on the challenges inherent in confronting a
new cultural environment. More and more, students on campus are
also making choices that reflect an understanding of the importance
of global awareness—from living in a residence hall-based
language community to starting a radio program in another language
to minoring in a foreign language. These experiences, whether at
home or abroad, influence how our students perceive the world and
their place in it. We’re producing graduates prepared to
be world citizens—well informed, culturally sensitive and
technologically sophisticated. They’re ready to take on the
challenges of our global society, and they’ll be equally
at home whether in the Peach State or the Republic of Georgia. |
Working with the faculty at the Center for International Trade and Security, Brown is exploring the role of public policy and international trade as it relates to animal disease transmission.
