Are pigs a solution to the organ donation shortage?
Any process that involves the transplantation, implantation, or infusion of an animal source—such as pigs—to a human recipient is referred to as xenotransplantation. The concept of xenotransplantation is not new. It was first proposed in 1667, but due to the significant risk of cross-species infection transmission, it was abandoned.
Pigs were studied as a source animal years later, in the 1990s. Pigs have organs that are about the same size as human organs and generate huge litter. As a result, they are an excellent candidate for organ donation. Scientists have been able to eliminate Alpha-Gal using genetic engineering. A gene found only in meat (pork, beef, rabbit, etc.) can induce severe allergic reactions in humans. In November of 2021, NYU Langone Health successfully completed a xenotransplantation procedure on two legally dead people, utilizing a genetically engineered kidney from a pig. The organs were not rejected and functioned normally while on ventilation. Although this is can be considered the first successful transplantation; Xenotransplantation could be a solution to the organ donation scarcity.
1.If in need of an organ, will you consider xenotransplantation?
2. While research is still being looked over do you think this can "new" transplatation is helpful?
3. In what ways do you think this will change organ donations?
Iniya Swaminathan - I feel as though the new research in animal organ transplants can help save a lot of lives. I read that many people die while waiting on transplant lists, and that there is an organ shortage and blood shortage. From a medical standpoint, this would be an amazing idea to further medicine and save lives of people who suffer from threatening diseases. However, from an ethical standpoint it is very controversial to use pigs just to benefit humans. But I think with further research, we could stray away from raising pigs to be slaughtered. Instead, we could use technology to to grow animals organs in labs and then eventually, if possible, grow human organs in labs. For me personally, if I was in need of an organ, I would consider xenotransplantation but I think my answer would depend on other factors like the success rate of the surgery, risks, how many years I have left, etc.
ReplyDeleteAlso here is the article I talked about in class: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59944889
1) I would not consider a xenotransplantation because it has not been tested on a wide scale as of now so there may be long term effects that we are not aware of right now.
ReplyDelete2) I think this new transplantation can be very helpful
3) There will be much easier access to organ donations for anyone in need
Before Kayla brought up xenotransplantation, I was not aware that pig organs were similar enough to human organs that they could be used for human transplants. I think this "new" transplantation could be really helpful, especially as a clinical trial option for people who are at the bottom of a transplant list where their situation is life or death. If this were to become an actual option for people, I think it would be really helpful, however, it would come with many ethical dilemmas and questions of how it's function varies in a human body as opposed to an animal's body (would it last as long, would the person be more susceptible to diseases that animals get, etc). No matter what, I hope to learn more about xenotransplantation and see where it goes in the future!
ReplyDelete- Lucy Billadeau