One Health: Interview with Peter Mitchell, John Innes and Duncan Lascelle

Description

This VTT transcript captures an engaging and informative discussion among three veterinarians—Deborah Mason, John Innes, Peter Mitchell, and Duncan Lascelle—focused on the interplay between veterinary and human medicine. The conversation highlights the unique advantages of using companion animals, specifically pets, in clinical studies due to their proximity to human disease presentations and shared environments with humans. The experts discuss the ethical considerations of conducting blinded placebo-controlled trials in animals, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare and owner engagement.



They outline various musculoskeletal diseases, comparing how they manifest in animals versus humans, and the potential for utilizing naturally occurring conditions in pets as models for human studies. A strong consensus emerges on the value of a One Health approach—leveraging insights from animal health to inform human health research. The speakers also address the intricacies of veterinary clinical trials, including challenges related to patient recruitment and the fragmented nature of veterinary practices that complicate the execution of trials.



Additionally, they touch on regulatory aspects, ethical approval processes, and the need for robust outcome measures. Engagement metrics from pet owners reveal that many are interested in participating in clinical trials due to the benefits they perceive for their pets and the broader good. The discussion underscores ongoing efforts to tap into veterinary data as a rich resource for advancing human health, signifying a potential paradigm shift in how veterinary and human health industries might collaborate for mutual benefit.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221090

Specialties