Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

July 26, 2004 In attendance: Steve Davis (Oregon State)., Chris Skaggs (Texas A & M), Dave Libby (NCA & SU), Joy Mench (UC Davis), John Hodges (EAAP), Richard Reynnells (USDA), Anna Johnson (Pork Board), Mike Appleby (HSUS), Deb Cherney (Cornell), Jim Males (Oregon State), Candace Croney (Oregon State), Harry Kunkel (Texas A&M), Don Lay (USDA-ARS), Ray Brooks (U. Maryland), Ray Stricklin (U. Maryland), Miriam Weber-Nielsen (Michigan State Univ), Brittany Gardner (Oregon State). Chair Weber-Nielsen called the meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. The administrative report was given by Males. There was an overview of land grant universities in relation to regional committees/projects; he also gave a brief history of WCC 204. Davis added comments regarding making a regional committee into a regional project. There must be a current, existing project dealing with bioethics (research, extension, teaching). Preferably, there should be a link between animal scientists, veterinarians, philosophers & others interested in animal production and ethics. There was discussion that there should be representatives from WCC 204 on the ASAS bioethics planning committee. Hodges noted that the European Association sets up a working group when a new topic comes up; this may become a main commission; last year their ethics working group led to a bioethics program to be held in Slovenia in November 2004. The group suggested that we need a new way of discussing ethical issues across disciplines. Next there was discussion about following up the panel discussion on Bioethics that was held at the ASAS meeting. Stricklin suggested that student presentations could become an important part of our programs, but we also need more participation from social scientists. Kunkel stated that those of us in animal science tend to focus on problems rather than really looking at ethics; he suggested that we are forcing out social scientists with this approach. Where have all the philosophers gone? Davis suggested they are fulfilling their other responsibilities. We need to invite new philosophers and other social scientists who can contribute to WCC 204s efforts. The group then discussed last years WCC planned activities. Mench said that she and Jerry Tannenbaum would be interested in working on the proposed idea to develop book of case studies useful for teaching ethics in animal science. Hodges noted that the EA group is working on an ethics for animal sciences book suitable for students. It is due out later this year. (Editor: Michael Mali; Wageningen Academic Press) Stricklin felt a post-graduate ethics seminar (advance bioethics seminar, as suggested at last years meeting) could still be worthwhile. Weber Nielsen then addressed the problem we have with retaining active, participating members. Reynnells suggested that the incentive for membership will come with the committee attaining regional project status. The application for the regional project must be submitted by February to be approved by summer. A literature review of what has been done by the committee, including end products (e.g., symposia with published proceedings is needed). The committee to write the regional project proposal includes: Cherney, Weber Nielsen, Reynnells and Croney. The group should invite some of the philosophers, including Keith Schillo, Paul Thompson (definitely should be asked), Gary Varner and perhaps recruit Wes Jamison. Hodges suggested taking strategic and tactical approaches to writing the regional project. He suggested targeting large philosophical foundations for funding (e.g., Ford Foundation, Kellogg, William and Charlotte Parks). Cherney will take the lead on the challenge grant. Varner will be asked to take the lead on the advanced bioethics program. The next item of business was when and where to hold the next WCC 204 meeting. Options were at the next ASAS meeting or in conjunction with the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society. The group decided to get information about the AFHVS meeting before making a decision on Wednesday 28, 2004. The next item of business was election of officers. Officers voted in for 2003-2004 include: Chair: Weber Nielsen, Vice chair: Croney, Secretary: Cherney. It was noted that term limits for officers should go into the regional project proposal. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. ----------------------------------------------------------- Minutes from 7/28/04 In attendance: Steve Davis (Oregon State), Dave Libby (NCA & SU), John Hodges (EAAP), Richard Reynnells (USDA), Mike Appleby (HSUS), Deb Cherney (Cornell), Candace Croney (Oregon State), Harry Kunkel (Texas A&M), Ray Brooks (U. Maryland), Ray Stricklin (U. Maryland), Brittany Gardner (Oregon State) (Janice Swanson, Kansas State Univ). Croney called the meeting to order at 12:04 p.m. following the Bioethics symposium panel discussion. The group debriefed from the two symposia it co-sponsored at the meeting. The first, Ethics and the Costs of Food: What is the impact of lessening food prices on citizens, producers, animals, and the environment? was held on July 27. The other was on Bioethics on July 28th. Both were extremely well attended, with standing room only at the first. Both symposia were chaired by Stricklin. Stricklin stated that we need to recruit for free papers for next years symposium and perhaps give an award fro the best student presentation. HSUS may work with us on this. Possible activities for next year: Hodges suggested a roundtable at the next ASAS meeting (5-7 speakers followed by discussion around a general topic) as a special session. It was noted that poultry sciences need to be better represented in WCC 204. Another suggestion was to have an award for individual or group contributions to animal welfare/bioethics. Perhaps we can come up with a way to offer some reward for incorporating bioethics into disciplines/programs. Swanson pointed out that there are two issues to address: raising awareness about ethics, and how to accomplish this. It was suggested that we discuss with Males the possibility of having a plenary session every day at the next ASAS meeting (10:30 was suggested time). Also, there could be a small group working session. Reynnells could possibly coordinate a session. The group wanted to plan a symposium for next years ASA meeting and send this through the bioethics committee. The possibility was raised that we could enlist department heads to circulate information and generate interest. It was suggested that WCC 204 give a presentation to department heads during their meeting Feb 1-2. Reynnells, Stricklin or someone else could make the presentation. The group agreed that next years meeting should be held in conjunction with Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society June 9-12 in Portland, OR. The meeting was adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

Two Bioethics symposia held at joint meeting of ASAS/ADSA/Poultry science in July 2004: Ethics and the Costs of Food: What is the impact of lessening food prices on citizens, producers, animals, and the environment? and Bioethics. Impact: both symposia were extremely well attended. Approximately 300-350 people (faculty, students, producers and others) attended the symposia. A substantial number expressed a need for and interest in having similar activities become an on-going aspect of the annual ASAS/ADSA/Poultry Science meetings.

Appleby, M. 2004. Considerations of the relationship between food prices and animal welfare. Journal of Animal Science. 82 (suppl 1): 238. Burkhardt, R.J. 2004. Ethics and low priced meat, milk and eggs: Too much of a good thing? Journal of Animal Science. 82 (suppl 1): 239. Hogberg, M.G., Kirschenmann, F.L., Honeymann, M.S., and Miranowski, J.A. 2004. Interrealtionships of animal agriculture, the environment and rural communities. Journal of Animal Science. 82 (suppl 1): 239.