» Poul TRy iNduSTRy fACeS ReSeARCH CHAlleNgeS
Poultry Research are both published by PSA,
which pays for the production, archiving and
dissemination of published research. These
journals, and others, face issues of open
access (no-cost public access to published
research), precipitated by ease of access to
exception. While it might seem that posting
articles online should be free, electronic
platforms necessary for journal production
(formatting, hyperlinking, archiving and
copyrighting) rely on expensive technology
that someone has to pay for. Whether open
A major challenge facing academia
and industry is funding for new
technologies and systems research.
the internet. Challenges associated with
open access (on the surface a desirable
thing) include maintaining rigor of academic
research through a safeguarded peer-review
process and avoiding misuse and unintended
consequences (of preliminary health-related
data, for example).
A thorough discussion of open access is
beyond the scope of this article, but publica-
tion is expensive, and digital publication is no
access can be made sustainable remains to
be seen, but the bottom line is that ease of
access does not mean free and therein lies
tremendous tension.
Complacency is our
common enemy
Historically, poultry scientists provided
the research base that enabled the poultry industry to become what it is today.
Historically, a uniquely diverse and nontraditional cadre of university, government
and industry scientists advanced poultry
science beyond the imaginable with regard
to efficiency, food safety and high-quality,
affordable protein production. We dare not
be complacent about those achievements.
As we move for ward, the poultry industry cannot afford to be afraid to adjust to
evolving societal pressures, and university
scientists must be out front helping with
that adjustment through sound science and
education of the next generation. We must
use our best collective thinking to address
issues and provide answers to shifting
landscapes and moving targets. Now is
the time and opportunity for industry and
other stakeholders to participate in this
endeavor and support a forward-looking
vision with transparent collaborative science and open, frank debate, even when
it’s uncomfortable. ■
BREEDING SUCCESS
Aviagen, the world’s leading poultry breeding company, supplies day-old grandparent
and parent stock chicks to customers in 120 countries worldwide under the Arbor Acres,
Ross and Indian River brand names. For more information visit www.aviagen.com.
