We propose to hold an international conference involving approximately 350 scientists and 50 students from the U.S. and abroad. A major objective for the conference, Genetic Engineering of Animals: An Agricultural Perspective, is to bring together scientists working in the area of molecular genetics to discuss methodologies, philosophy, and potential applications as it relates to improvement of domestic animal agriculture and domestic animal research. To address the topic, we envision a tentative program that will be presented by approximately 24 of the leading scientists in genetic engineering of animals. The program will open with a conceptual session which will serve to meet a major objective of educating people who may have potential application of genetic engineering to increase the efficiency of their research efforts or to aid them in addressing important new research problems related to their research interests and the improvement of domestic animal production. A section on applications in laboratory and domestic animals will include discussions on sources of genetic material and examples of applications, i.e. influencing physiological, immunological, and developmental processes. A final section will address philosophical issues such as future application, moral, and legal implications, and where does it lead to. Proceedings of the conference will be published in an edited book within six months of the conference and the book should serve as a resource for the current state of our knowledge about genetic engineering as it relates to domestic animal agriculture.
