| Knowledge
derived from animal experiments also has improved animal health |
| The health and
productivity of our farm livestock very much depends on good nutrition
and disease prevention. Most of the advances in our understanding of
nutrition occurred in the 20th century. Prior to that, the general view
was that it did not matter what animals (including humans) ate as long
as it contained adequate energy and protein. It was not until the early
1920’s that the importance of dietary elements began to be recognised.
The results of animal studies have played an important role in our present-day
understanding of the role of nutrition in health and disease. |
 |
Disease prevention strategies are essential to maintaining herd health.
The efficacy of vaccination as a protection against pathogens was first
demonstrated in animals. Today, through vaccination, we can protect
animals against at least 55 infectious diseases. This is of benefit
for the health and productivity of cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs -animals
which provide us with food and fibre. Our companion animals (dogs, cats
and horses) and wildlife also benefit. |
There are many examples of how new knowledge, treatments or techniques
which have been developed for humans are now being used to benefit animals:
antibiotics and vaccines are obvious examples. Other examples include
advanced surgical techniques (eg orthopaedic implants, transplantation
and cardiac by-pass) which were developed using animal studies, then,
applied in human medicine and are now used in veterinary medicine. Knowledge
of reproductive physiology and techniques developed for application
of IVF in humans, are now being applied to breeding programs for endangered
species and to control of feral animal populations. |
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