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Pig-to-Human Transplants On Their Way

Posted by timothy on from the oink-oink dept.

cscx writes: "From the folks who brought you Dolly the cloned sheep, come genetically modified cloned pigs which they claim may eventually be able to donate their organs to humans for transplant usage. Who knows, we may make that mark on your driver's license obsolete after all."

3 of 289 comments (clear)

  1. What effect will this have on the Earth? by rice_web · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Okay, so fifty years ago a patient would have died from a failing organ, now that patient lives. Is this a case where the strongest no longer survive? Are we on our way to overpopulation? Eh, that's off topic. But, after we all praise this as a life saver, what are the consequences?

    --
    The Political Programmer
  2. The *really* scary part hasn't even been mentioned by McSpew · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Anybody who watches Frontline on PBS has already seen a lengthy and incredibly in-depth story about the future of xenotransplantation.

    The scary part about pig-to-human transplants is the possibility of humans contracting pig viruses through xenotransplants that could mutate and cause widespread disease. Transplant patients have to take medications that suppress their immune systems so their bodies won't reject their new organs. Thus, the possibility of cross-species disease propagation is very real and very scary.

    Pigs being bred for transplantation are currently birthed by caesarian section directly into a bath of iodine and kept in a sterile environment from then on. But even so, it's unlikely that such animals are 100% free of pathogens. Anyone who receives a pig organ should understand that they will be considered as much of a disease threat as if they were HIV-positive for the rest of their lives. They are not to have unprotected sex and should not have children.

    It's scary stuff and not to be taken lightly.

  3. Re:question for the jewish folks by mr100percent · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Hmmm, there are a variety of fatwas(Islamic rulings) by clerics which make it seem halaal(kosher for Muslims).


    One such fatwa reccomends that in cases of transplant where an organ is necessary for survival, a non-living component can be used or the organs of animals permissible to eat and killed according to Islamic rites of slaughter (similiar to Kosher).


    If the transplant need is life-threatening and the organ is only found in Haraam(forbidden) animals or permissible animals that were killed in a non-Islamic/non-Kosher fashion, then it's permissible. "However, if there is no imminent danger of loss of life then it will not be permissible to use anything from the pig. "