PART 2, “ANIMAL AGRICULTURE’S FUTURE THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY.”This issue paper examines current and future concerns and benefits for using animals as organ and tissue donors (xenotransplantation).

Prepared by a task force of thirteen scientists, this issue paper provides a timely consideration of critical issues:microbiological safety of foods of animal origin during production; food processing strategies for manufactured foods of animal origin, both ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat; food safety initiatives in retailing; consumer interventions to enhance food safety; challenges to applying food safety controls uniformly across all sectors of the food service industry; and recommendations for development and application of new intervention strategies to decrease human illnesses attributed to foods derived from animals.

Authored by a task force of six scientists, this issue paper identifies existing and emerging issues in the development and use of nutraceuticals’ food compounds with health-promoting, disease-preventive, or medical properties.

PART 1 OF A 9-PART SERIES, “ANIMAL AGRICULTURE’S FUTURE THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY.”Written by a task force of nine scientists, this issue paper summarizes existing and emerging technologies and assesses their current and potential impacts. The authors suggest that research on biotechnology in animal production is leading to breakthroughs on many fronts.

This issue paper takes a critical look at the environmental impacts of grazing systems and provides guidance on land management tools. Key issues of concern include alteration of wildlife habitat and degradation of soil and water quality.

This issue paper outlines the technologies and approaches that poultry and livestock producers can use to decrease the amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the environment. This study focuses on two nutrients and addresses two environmental concerns: volatilization and manure nutrient distribution.

This CAST issue paper provides policymakers and others with a nine-step guide to curtail the impact of non-native pests, including diseases, insects, and animals. These pests are the source of an estimated $137 billion annual economic burden to the United States and are the second leading cause of species endangerment. In addition, bioterrorism introduces another unknown risk factor into the already unstable mix of detrimental exotic species.

A group of nine science and policy experts prepared this evaluation of the process by which U.S. regulatory agencies determine the safety of biotechnology-derived crops. The authors found that the U.S. regulatory process is comprehensive and meets its charge of ensuring that biotechnology-derived foods are at least as safe as foods derived using traditional breeding techniques.

Individuals in the agricultural professions make valuable contributions to society, but the American public sometimes questions the relevance of those contributions and the impact of agriculture on the environment, human health, and the economy. This CAST issue paper was written to help agricultural professionals communicate clearly what they do and why it is important.

Johne’s disease is primarily an intestinal infection of ruminants. Largely ignored by the livestock industry in the past, Johne’s disease has gained importance among producers because of the economic losses they incur from herd infections and the potential human health hazards associated with the causative agent Mycobacterium paratuberculosis.