The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, which seeks to broaden distribution of critical agricultural research, is now providing its issue papers for free.

The latest of 38 CAST Issue Papers is "Vaccine Development Using Recombinant DNA Technology," seventh in a nine-part series on "Animal Agriculture's Future through Biotechnology."

All the issue papers, formerly $5 each, are now available without charge by electronic download from www.cast-science.org. The papers are available in hard copy from the CAST office by calling (515) 292-2125 or writing to 4420 W. Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50014-3447. A fee applies for shipping and handling.

The CAST Commentaries have always been available from the Web site for free. One of the more recent titles is "Avian Influenza Vaccination: A Commentary Focusing on H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza."

Providing the issue papers without charge furthers the CAST mission of assembling, interpreting, and communicating credible scientific information throughout the world. The AVMA is a member of CAST.