Duration: 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2010

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Related, Current and Previous Work

Objectives

1. Provide a forum in which animal scientists and non-animal scientists (philosophers, social scientists, etc.) may work together to examine and discuss contentious social and ethical issues.
   
2. Encourage the development and coordination of teaching, extension and research activities dealing with agricultural bioethics.
   
3. Develop mechanisms of outreach that would facilitate useful and open discussion between animal scientists and members of the public concerned about contemporary animal agriculture and its impacts.
   
4. Provide the means for ongoing critical analysis of the animal science profession in the context of its ability to address moral and socio-political issues.
   

Methods

Procedures and Activities Objective 1. Provide a forum in which animal scientists and non-animal scientists (philosophers, social scientists, etc.) may work together to examine and discuss the broad range of contentious social and ethical issues related to animal agriculture . The committee will meet formally as a group annually to foster development and/or continuation of collaborative work on current ethical issues of interest, and interact through email discussions throughout the year. Objective 2. Encourage the development and coordination of teaching and extension activities dealing with agricultural bioethics. The group will maintain a current web page providing resources for teaching, extension and research activities in bioethics. Resources will be developed through projects researching the scientific literature and summarizing current knowledge in animal bioethics and related ethical issues. This will contribute to the development of bioethics teaching modules within the Animal Sciences curriculum. Objective 3. Develop mechanisms of outreach that would facilitate useful and open discussion between animal scientists and members of the public concerned about contemporary animal agriculture and its impacts. The committee's internet web page will be maintained in order to provide society with credible information on highly contentious issues in animal agriculture. Objective 4. Provide the means for ongoing critical analysis of the animal science profession in the context of its ability to address moral and socio-political issues. Continuation of past and current successes with symposia at professional meetings of animal scientists will be a goal of the committee, to stimulate further analysis of ethical responsibilities of those in the animal science profession. In addition, participants will continue to engage in open forums on ethical issues related to animal agriculture held by concerned members of other disciplines.

Measurement of Progress and Results

Outputs

Outcomes or Projected Impacts

Milestones

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Outreach Plan

Organization/Governance

Organization/Governance


The Committee will elect a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are elected for one-year terms. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.

Literature Cited

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions