Posted 10.21.2011 at 3:10 pm
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Hog head, the deadliest food at the banquet
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Two scientists at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh discussed the state of xenotransplantation--the use of cells, organs, or tissue from one animal in another--in a review in The Lancet. In that review, they touch on the history of one particular subject: pig-to-human transplants. Their conclusion? Clinical trials of pig-to-human transplants could begin in just a few years.
Pigs that are genetically modified with genes to protect their organs and other inside bits from attack by the human immune system are capable of all kinds of potentially life-saving effects. Research has been conducted until now with non-human primates, and while these primates have not been able to survive for all that long with pig organs--at best, a pig heart-implanted primate survives for around eight months--that could be enough time to serve as temporary lifesavers. Cells and tissue could be used to counteract human diseases like diabetes (as in this example) and Parkinson's, and have actually shown more success than complete organs.
The paper concludes by saying:
With new genetically modified pigs becoming available that are likely to improve the outcome of cellular and corneal xenotransplantation further, we believe that clinical trials will be justified within the next 2-3 years. No safety concerns that would prohibit such clinical trials have been reported...With regard to pig tissues and cells, as opposed to organs, it would seem that clinical xenotransplantation could soon become a reality.
The scientists believe that soon enough, genetically-modified pig organs could be even more capable than mechanical versions, which is surely great news for those who need them.
[via The Independent]
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I applaud medical science like this! I really do!
If I was dying and a doctor wanted to use the parts from my Briggs and Stratton lawn mower for my heart or organs from my pet parakeet, I say go for. But also keep in mind to not create a long term suffrage life extension of me and financially destroy my family too.
These exotic solutions to saving lifes and extending lifes have to be something all the family has to live with.
As one who *would* be dead save for medical technology (type 1 diabetes), I applaud this even more. And maybe one day, I'll be part pig!
I wish blessing for anyone that is sick and I want all of science medicine to help you. My heart goes out to you eregom8 and all others. God Bless you and your family!
Bubba's getting more and more pathetic by the day.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhru5f_chinese-scientist-clones-pig-organs-for-human-transplants_news
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110630112855.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8584443/Pigs-could-grow-human-organs-in-stem-cell-breakthrough.html
Religious extremists have done everything they can to obstruct this kind of research, but try as they have to literally outlaw it, they cannot repeal the law of progress. What I want to see is when Sam Brownback is forced to have the unKosher pig of a heart in order to keep that swine alive. It's a thought that I explore in more detail over on my blog:
http://biblicalaaronc.blogspot.com/2011/10/pig-to-human-transplantation-do.html
BTW, eff you in advance if you think I am pushing this on anybody. I could have just cut and pasted it in here, but instead I'm giving people the option to choose to read something 100% on topic or not.