The Wildlife Conservation Society, Cargill, and the United Nations are recognized for their "outstanding global leadership" in response to the global threat posed by H5N1 avian influenza.

Cambridge, MA (PRWEB) November 15, 2006 -- Bio Economic Research Associates, or bio-era™ (http://www.bio-era.net), a leading independent research and advisory firm, today announced three "Service to Life" leadership recipients for 2006, recognizing organizations who demonstrate outstanding leadership in service to Life. The 2006 awards recognize the outstanding leadership provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Cargill, and the United Nations in response to the global threat posed by H5N1 avian influenza, commonly referred to as "bird flu." The awards were presented by Stephen Aldrich and James Newcomb of bio-era, at a special dinner honoring the recipients held Wednesday evening, November 15th, 2006, at the Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. William Karesh and Dr. Robert Cook accepted on behalf of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Mr. Michael Robach and Mr. Dave Harlan accepted on behalf of Cargill, and Dr. David Nabarro, Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, accepted on behalf of the United Nations.

"We have been working on the economic and business impacts of emerging infectious diseases since the SARS outbreak in 2003" said Mr. Aldrich, President of bio-era, " In our opinion and experience, these three organizations deserve special recognition for their outstanding global leadership in response to the threat posed by H5N1 avian influenza."

""The Wildlife Conservation Society (http://www.wcs.org), through its One World - One Health perspective, has pioneered greater appreciation for the interdependent nature of wildlife, livestock, and human health - particularly with respect to infectious disease emergence and spread. Their global field veterinary program (http://www.fieldvet.org) is leading the development of the wild bird global avian influenza network for surveillance (GAINS) (http://www.gains.org), which promises to provide an extremely high return for public health, agriculture, and conservation."

"Cargill (http://www.cargill.com) is a clear leader in both practicing and advocating sound biosecurity within the poultry industry. Their production facilities in Thailand serve as a model of biosecure poultry production. The company has worked steadily for global safety standards in rearing, handling and preparing poultry, and for the education of vulnerable, rural populations. We are especially pleased to recognize their leadership in pioneering SSAFE - a private/public partnership aimed at ensuring safe and affordable food everywhere."

"Through the U.N.-affiliated World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), U.N. Development Program (UNDP), and other agencies, the United Nations (http://www.who.int/topics/avian_influenza/en/) has, in our opinion, provided essential global leadership and coordination in a number of critical areas, including H5N1 disease detection and response coordination, education around H5N1 and pandemic planning and preparedness, and strengthening public health capacity in response to H5N1 in lesser-developed regions of the world."

"Providing real leadership always involves taking risk in the face of uncertainty. Because of their willingness to act decisively when faced with the grave but fundamentally uncertain risks posed by H5N1, we felt these three organizations deserved special public recognition - both for the remarkable things they have accomplished, and for their example as leaders for others to emulate. Life is safer and more secure for their efforts," said Aldrich "and that's something we all can celebrate."

ABOUT BIO-ERA

Bio Economic Research Associates (bio-era™) is a leading provider of independent research and advisory services on issues at the intersection of biology and the economy. Bio-era's mission is to help decision-makers understand and respond to the economic and societal impacts of human-induced change to biological systems. The firm's practice areas include biosecurity, bioenergy, and emerging biotechnology.

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