What is the most important issue in veterinary medicine and science today?

I would say, without a doubt that 'veterinary public health' is the most important issue (just look at the role of the veterinary community with regards to diseases like avian influenza, west nile virus, etc). Vets form the front line, if you like, between diseases of serious zoonotic potential and the general public- they are often the first to recognise these diseases (e.g. West Nile when it was first seen in the US), and have a crucial role in control and prevention of these diseases. I think animal welfare is becoming a big issue for veterinary medicine & science also, particularly with regards to production animals and more specifically, intensively farmed animals like pigs and chickens. Public opinion on "good animal welfare" places enormous pressure upon producers, but the same public spends its time demanding low-cost products. I think that this is an area that will become very central to the veterinary community before too much longer.  more