A holistic view of poultry science from a reductionist perspective

1. The success of the poultry industry has been dependent upon development of a precise understanding of poultry biology. 2. The advent of tools and probes that reveal the molecular and cellular organisation of complex physiological systems should be embraced by the poultry industry to gain insights into recurring problems such as egg shell quality and ascites. 3. The ability to modify the genome of chickens provides an opportunity to breed chickens with unprecedented precision. 4. The judicious use of time and resources will require a working knowledge of molecular and cellular biology and the poultry industry. There is an urgent need for educational facilities that provide both perspectives.