Resistance to Environmental Stress DISC
 research on alleviating environmental stresses for
 livestock and poultry through genetic improvements,
 hormonal regulation, modified rations and controlled
 environments, can improve important parts of our food
 and agricultural system, including rangelands and
 wildlife.
 The future will see the need for more DISC research
 on optimal environments for various species. As a
 result, controlled environments will become the rule
 rather than the exception. Such environments are now
 known and used for chickens and turkeys, and rapid
 progress is being made in the industrialization of hog
 production. Comfort, productivity, economics and the
 concerns of animal welfare advocates must be con-
 sidered in making advances in environmental control.
 Disease Control, Health and Animal Welfare -
 DISC research with potential to improve animal health
 and welfare includes research on animal cell micro-
 biology, embryo transfer techniques and im-
 munogenetics to produce livestock breeds that are both
 productive and disease resistant. Molecular biological
 research is needed on cloning genes through DNA
 manipulation to produce substances such as interferons
 and lymphokines for use against viral diseases, as well
 as vaccines. Reducing death losses between conception
 and weaning has great potential to improve biological
 productivity of livestock. The predictable benefit is im-
 proved animal health to advance both human and
 animal welfare.
 In 1975, a new era in immunology was launched
 with the discovery of the hybridoma technique, a
 method for creating pure and uniform antibodies
 against a specific target. This technique involves fusing
 myeloma (cancer) cells with antibody-producing cells
 from an immunized donor. The hybrid cells or
 "hybridoma" resulting from this fusion can multiply
 rapidly and indefinitely in culture to produce an anti-
 body of predetermined specificity, known as a
 "monoclonal antibody." (Monoclonal antibodies-
 protein molecules produced by certain cells in the
 body-are a basic constituent of plant, animal and
 human disease-fighting immune systems.) This new
 hybridoma method for producing standardized
 reagents (antibodies) of a given class, specificity and af-
 finity is providing scientists with a tool that can be used
 to analyze virtually any molecule which produces an-
 tibodies. The technique has been a breakthrough for
 the rapid diagnosis of diseases and the development of
 vaccines. It can also be used to study the mechanisms
 of tumor development. This basic advance opens an
 opportunity to make important advances in under-
 standing the diseases of humans, animals and plants
 with greater specificity and speed and at reduced costs
for control (Diamond, et al., 1981).


 Currently, feed additives, antibiotics, pesticides,
 herbicides and chemotherapy are used extensively,
 directly and indirectly, in livestock production. Public
 reaction to the extensive use of chemicals that later
 become a part of the environment is expected to reach
 a crisis within the next two decades. The alternative
 will be to develop genetic resistance through DISC
 research on diseases of livestock. Such genetic
 resistance now exists in many of the native animals in
 certain parts of the world. A specific example is the
 water buffalo's resistance to environmental stresses. It
 also has greater resistance than other cattle to mastitis,
 foot and mouth disease, rabies and contagious pleuro-
 pneumonia anaplasmosis (National Academy of
 Sciences, 1981).

 Subject-Matter Research in Food Science
 Researchable areas include food processing, food
 engineering, food safety, food packaging, new prod-
 ucts, storage and handling, preservation and nutri-
 tional values. Quick, high-temperature processing or
 sterilization will continue to be important for im-
 provements in preserving natural flavors and conserv-
 ing energy. Storage without refrigeration will become
 increasingly important for fruit juices and dairy pro-
 ducts, not only for people in less-developed countries,
 but also in the United States.
 Many changes and accomplishments in the 21st
 century will be coupled with new developments in
 packaging. Genetic engineering will have an ever
 increasing impact. Rennet for cheese making derived
 from microbial synthesis rather than livestock organs
 from slaughterhouses is already a reality. Microbial
 rennets are now used extensively in U.S. cheese mak-
 ing. Aspartame is a microbiologically produced
 substance now widely used as an artificial sweetener.
 We will see low-ethylene, low-oxygen storage for
 fruits and vegetables. Controlled-atmosphere packages
 for bread will enable long-term storage without
 refrigeration or preservatives. Quick, ultrahigh
 temperatures and aseptic packaging provide a similar
 option for milk and fruit juices. Hot water (115 to 122
 degrees F) sterilization will replace fungicides for
 prevention of many storage rots in fruit and vegetables.
 Increasingly, foods will be stored, processed and
 packaged near the point of production. Packaging,
 retail and on-site, will be in smaller units, both for con-
 venience and safety. Flexible packages (the retortable
 pouch) attractively designed will gain in importance.
 Though the world market for year-round fresh fruits
 and vegetables will continue to expand, there will be
 less emphasis on air transport and more on storage
 technology. Postharvest losses will decrease in the field
 and marketing chain. Partially dried fruits and
vegetables will attain more prominence. Fabricated