Page 40 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

Concepts in Veterinary Toxicology Chapter | 1 7

VetBooks.ir veterinary toxicologists belong to all of the organizations laboratories, both in veterinary medical colleges and in
state and federal agencies. With the strengthening of the
noted above and some have been certified by one or more
science base of veterinary medicine, including the quality
of the certifying organizations: the ABVT, ABT, and
ATS. Of special note, four veterinary toxicologists (Roger of the science in the veterinary medical curriculum, the
McClellan, Charles Capen, Jim Riviere, and Bernard third movement, the emergence of the comparative medi-
Schwetz) have been recognized for their contributions to cine character of veterinary medicine, became more
human health by election to the National Academy of apparent and was enhanced (Wilkinson, 2005). These
Medicine. Veterinary toxicology has made major contri- changes in the profession were accompanied by increased
butions to both animal and human health sciences as it involvement of veterinarians in research on the species of
has continued to evolve over the past decades along with traditional concern to the profession, domestic and com-
the general field of toxicology. panion animals (Stahlheim, 1994), and to the participation
in a broader range of biomedical research activities,
involving the use of traditional laboratory animal species,
EVOLUTION OF VETERINARY
driven largely by concern for human health (Wilkinson,
TOXICOLOGY 2005).
Roots in Veterinary Medicine and Toxicology
Emergence of Science-Based Toxicology
The evolution of veterinary toxicology occurred concur-
rently with evolution of its two roots: the profession of Toxicology, like veterinary medicine, was also rapidly
veterinary medicine and the science of toxicology. The changing and evolving in the mid-20th century. The pre-
veterinary medicine profession was initially focused on vious strong emphasis on field observations was first
domestic animals, particularly those used for food, fiber, complemented and then supplemented by experimenta-
transportation, and to provide power for agricultural tion. This, in turn, led to the current strong mechanistic
endeavors and transportation. With the growth of more orientation of toxicology. With this shift in toxicology
specialized agriculture and production practices, the pro- came an increased awareness of the utility of a compara-
fession, with its linkage to domestic livestock, stimulated tive medicine orientation in research directed primarily
growth of veterinary toxicology. Veterinary toxicology in toward improving human health (Wilkinson, 2005). With
its earliest years had a major focus on poisonous plants this comparative medicine orientation came increased
and then on antidotes for various toxins. The early part of opportunities for individuals educated in veterinary
the 20th century presented a special challenge for veteri- medicine, including veterinary toxicology, to contribute
nary medicine as the use of horses and mules in agricul- to general toxicology and biomedical science.
ture decreased in favor of the use of equipment powered These changes in the veterinary medical profession
by internal combustion engines. During this period, there and the emergence of toxicology as a science came during
must have been considerable uncertainty as to the future a period when the public was giving increased attention
of the veterinary medical profession. Indeed, many indivi- to the health risks, and its counterpoint—safety, of new
duals thought the profession would not survive, and a technologies and products. World War II resulted in the
number of proprietary schools teaching veterinary medi- creation of the Manhattan Project in 1942 in the United
cine closed. States to develop nuclear weapons. Following the war,
By the mid-20th century three movements transformed the Manhattan Project became the Atomic Energy
veterinary medicine. The first related to the traditional Commission (AEC), with a broad mission that included
roots of the profession in animal agriculture and related to peaceful applications of nuclear energy. A series of
the increasing emphasis given to large-scale highly spe- national and specialized laboratories were created with
cialized domestic livestock endeavors. This movement several having a mandate to understand the effects of
was a major factor in the growth of Colleges of external radiation and internally deposited radionuclide.
Veterinary Medicine at Land Grant Universities in the Veterinarians had a key role in many of these laborato-
United States. The second related to the increased atten- ries. My career began at one of the major AEC laborato-
tion given to providing veterinary medical services to a ries, the Hanford Laboratories in Richland, Washington,
growing population of companion animals, a population where research was conducted on a range of topics
that included horses, dogs, and cats. In both areas the sci- including effects of radioactive materials on domestic ani-
ence of veterinary medicine was strengthened as mals, a research program initially led by the late Leo K.
observation-based medical practice was complemented Bustad, who later served on the faculty of the College
and, ultimately, supplemented by science-based medicine. of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California-
During this period, veterinary toxicologists began to play Davis and then as Dean of the College of Veterinary
an important role in veterinary medical diagnostic Medicine at Washington State University. The Hanford