Pig-to-Human Transplants Could Be Closer Than You Think

PopSci ^ | 10.21.2011 at 3:10 pm | Dan Nosowitz

[fight_truth_decay]

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:

[R_Kangel]

I could have sworn that transplanting heart valves from pigs to humans has been a common practice for at least 35 years.

Guess I could be wrong but I don't think the people I know that have had the procedure would lie to me though.

[fight_truth_decay]

http://inventorspot.com/articles/humans_may_receive_organ_transpl_6900

Ur correct. Valves are. Organs the future...

[BigCinBigD]

I do pig to human transplants all the time. It’s called a BLT.

[Slings and Arrows]

Don’t worry about Israel - eating pork is verboten for Jews who keep Kosher, but pig-derived insulin and so forth is just fine. There’s nothing more holy than saving a human life.

[Slings and Arrows]

Hmmm...I’d’ve diagnosed Popeye and Eeyore with acromegaly and clinical depression, respectively.

[onyx]

[HiTech RedNeck]

This would be weird

[NTHockey]

Pig to human transplants? Nothing new, just look at Congress and the way they spend money. Their entire insides must be pig.

[MamaTexan]

I could have sworn that transplanting heart valves from pigs to humans has been a common practice for at least 35 years.

I was thinking the same thing. My Mom had a valve replacement over 30 years ago and had to choose between a pig valve and a mechanical one.

[Netizen]

Which did she choose?

[MamaTexan]

Mechanical. It was rated to last much longer than the pig valve.

On a humorous side note, the mechanical one audibly 'ticked' when her heart rate went up. We teased her about never being able to sneak up on us again.

[Netizen]

LOL Do you know if there if there was a big price difference?

[Dusty Road]

Only problem with a pig to human conea transplant, any body thats hunted them can tell ya “pigs can’t see for chit”.

[MamaTexan]

Sorry, I have no idea..... I was a clueless teenager at the time.

I only remember her being totally aghast at the bill. Valve, surgery, hospital stay and all, it was about $50,000.

[Netizen]

I just wondered, considering the mechanical lasted longer, why bother with the pig valve?

[MamaTexan]

Good question. I guess some people have an aversion to mechanical enhancements. I just remember her saying that the doctor told her pig valves had a higher rejection rate and usually lasted about 10 years max.

That was way-back-when, though. Things may have changed by now.

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Do you [or someone close to you] need valve replacement?

[Netizen]

No, just found it interesting.

[MamaTexan]

LOL! Glad you weren't asking because you needed one.

You sound like me, though.

When I find something interesting, I always want to know MORE!

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My daughters are the same. Since this trait has resulted in our knowing a bit about a wide variety of subjects, we often refer to ourselves as 'KOOK's.

Keepers Of the Odd Knowledge.

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Guess you're a member, too. :-)

[Dem Guard]

[Bender2]

Hey, frog have know this... for years!

And we are still paying... for it dearly!

According to this, plain old pig... good as long pig!