Who Owns Disease?
A celebratory Research Day to commemorate 41 years of research and the retirement of Professor Joe Brownlie BVSc PhD DSc ARAgS DipECVP FRCPath FRCVS on Friday 18th September 2009 at The Royal Veterinary College Hawkshead Campus
Infectious diseases can threaten all of us, our communities and, on occasions, our nation. They can re-emerge, evolve or even emerge anew. From a recent Foresight programme (www.foresight.gov.uk), it is clear that the risks are ever-present; with one new worldwide human infection every eight months. The majority of these appear to ‘jump’ from animal reservoirs. The technology for their diagnosis is impressive although not universally implemented. However, the issue of ‘who’ is responsible for the diagnosis and control of disease is at best confused. Without a proper understanding of ownership, there can be no clarity about responsibility. The line between personal responsibility, organisational responsibility and overall government responsibility is too often ill defined; such obfuscation prevents effective management and control of potentially life-threatening events.
This symposium brings together, for the first time, some of the outstanding scientists and policy makers to discuss these issues. We hope the debate will continue and lead to future guidance for ownership of medical, veterinary and zoonotic diseases.
Confirmed Speakers
| Prof Quintin McKellar Principal, Royal Veterinary College |
The Overview |
| Prof Sir David King Director, Smith School of Enterprise & Environment, University of Oxford and past Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government |
The Global Challenge |
| Prof George Poste Chief Scientist, Complex Adaptive Systems Initiative, Regents' Professor and Del E Webb Distinguished Professor of Biology, Arizona State University |
Global Preparedness |
| Mr Peter Kendal President, NFU |
The National Livestock |
| Prof Nigel Gibbens Chief Veterinary Officer, DEFRA & Visiting Professor, Royal Veterinary College |
DEFRA Responsibilities |
| Prof Mark Rweyemamu Executive Director, Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (SACIDS), Professor for Transboundary and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Sokoine University, Morogoro, Tanzania and Visiting Professor, Royal Veterinary College |
The Exotic Threat |
| Mr Dick Sibley Veterinary Practitioner, Member of the England Implementation Group for Animal Welfare & Past President of BCVA |
The Endemic Challenges |
| Dr Ian Thompson Lead Finding Manager, Europe and Aqua, Novartis Animal Health Inc |
Pharmaceutical Priorities |
| Prof Joe Brownlie Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Royal Veterinary College |
Scientific Priorities & Relevance |
Date
Friday 18th September 2009
Venue
New Lecture Theatre, RVC, Hawkshead Campus
Registration
To reserve a place at the Research Day please complete this Registration Form
The Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, the RVC is the UK’s longest-standing veterinary college—with a proud heritage of innovation in veterinary science, clinical practice and education.