University of Utah Hosted Human Rights Lecture
Dr. Tamar Novick presented historical research on livestock management and zoonotic diseases in the region.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Nutrition
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The University of Utah recently hosted Dr. Tamar Novick for the annual Anne and Sandy Dolowitz Lecture in Human Rights at the Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House. The event explored historical intersections of fertility practices, environmental policy, and disease management in the Middle East.
Why it matters
The lecture highlighted how state-led population and livestock management strategies, particularly regarding disease, have significantly shaped the history of Israel and Palestine. Novick argued these historical administrative decisions remain essential for understanding regional human rights dynamics.
The lecture series has been held annually at the university since 2007. Historical records indicate Malta fever first captured significant public attention during the 1880s after British soldiers contracted the illness.
The players
Dr. Tamar Novick
She is the author of Milk and Honey: Technologies of Plenty in the Making of a Holy Land and a researcher of historical human rights and environmental issues.
University of Utah
This is a public research university located in Salt Lake City that serves as the host institution for the annual Anne and Sandy Dolowitz Lecture in Human Rights.
The details
Dr. Tamar Novick, author of 'Milk and Honey: Technologies of Plenty in the Making of a Holy Land,' analyzed correspondence letters to examine how authorities managed livestock diseases. She noted that while Malta fever, Bang's disease, and undulant fever share the same bacterial family, state authorities historically categorized and managed them based on species divides.
Timeline
The lecture series was established in 2007.
Public attention to Malta fever emerged in the 1880s.
The Big Picture
This research provides critical context for the development of early environmental frameworks like the Crown Protection Law. By examining how authorities handled zoonotic disease, the lecture illustrates the administrative origins of modern state-sanctioned land and animal management policies.
The research highlights how historical categorizations of bacteria continue to influence current public health understandings of zoonotic transmission. Understanding these origins can help the public better grasp the complexity of disease management across different species populations.
The takeaway
The study of historical livestock management demonstrates that societal crises are often managed through administrative divisions that persist for decades. Implementing a deeper understanding of these historical frameworks can provide residents with better insight into the roots of modern public health policy.
Further reading
Explore more historical and scientific research in the Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Utah Chronicle.
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