Xenotransplants

[JoS]

I was wondering what people's views on the issue of xenotransplants are? For those of you who do not know what they are it is the transplanting of animal organs into human beings. The two animals mostly used for these procedures are baboons and pigs. I am not talking about building some genetic Frankenstein, but a possible solution to the shortage of human organs for transplant patients.

While these does present some risks nto found in human transplants such as unknown diseases crossing spieces lines, it offers hope to patients and a chance at a better and more fulfilling life.

[GuitarSmuggler]

Using animal organs to save a human's life doesn't seem too far fetched to me. It's actually pretty logical, considering we kill them for food, why not use them for giving someone more time to live? There's only so many donors and limited amounts of human organs, and as a result, many die on a waiting list.

Hopefully in the future, research will develop ways to increase the success of these transplants.

[fli]

obviously they wouldn't use ANY kind of pig...
They would probably be on a special diet in enclosed settings and healthy.

Like lab mice, I believe.

[Pyro-Maniac25892]

The animals used for this are isolated from their own kind until the required organ is extracted and put in a human. Sometimes these procedures only add time for a human donor to be found.
I'm for it even though it can be seen as cruel to the animal.

[36Holla]

It sounds very risky, unless the animal in question was in special conditions before the surgery. I dont know how far they've researched this, but it sounds like an idea that is still in its infancy.

To me, the idea doesn't seem so bad if the process could prove to help people. Im sure there will be people who hate this idea, and it sounds like it has the makings to be an issue in the national government one day. But bottom line, it they can show that it can be an effective medical tool to help people, then I dont see a problem with such a practice.

[Chickidydow]

Well it could be a very good way to keep people from death by waiting list but... it sounds risky. I think conditions for the animals in question need to be changed alot. I'm talking about full blown organ farms where the animals are kept health, fed with special food, and as clean and divoid of disease as possibe. In these conditions would I only feel safe having a pig's lung in my body.

[cellardoor6]

Hmm, this concept seems vaguely familiar to me...

[Chickidydow]

At 9/25/07 07:49 AM, cellardoor6 wrote: Hmm, this concept seems vaguely familiar to me...

lol Rob Schneider, what an untalented actor

[cellardoor6]

At 9/25/07 07:54 AM, Chickidydow wrote:

At 9/25/07 07:49 AM, cellardoor6 wrote: Hmm, this concept seems vaguely familiar to me...

lol Rob Schneider, what an untalented actor

Rob Schneieder! der derp dee derp! Da teetely dum... Rated PG-13

whoever catches that reference gets a gold star

[WilliWowza]

If it can save lives, why not? I'm sure the patient would be willing to take the risk of disease if it keeps them breathing longer.

[tehmaster690]

At 9/25/07 08:09 AM, cellardoor6 wrote:

At 9/25/07 07:54 AM, Chickidydow wrote:

At 9/25/07 07:49 AM, cellardoor6 wrote: Hmm, this concept seems vaguely familiar to me...

lol Rob Schneider, what an untalented actor

Rob Schneieder! der derp dee derp! Da teetely dum... Rated PG-13

whoever catches that reference gets a gold star

South Park, now GIVE ME THE GOLD STAR!

[Brick-top]

At 9/25/07 10:44 AM, tehmaster690 wrote:

At 9/25/07 08:09 AM, cellardoor6 wrote:

At 9/25/07 07:54 AM, Chickidydow wrote:

At 9/25/07 07:49 AM, cellardoor6 wrote: Hmm, this concept seems vaguely familiar to me...

lol Rob Schneider, what an untalented actor

Rob Schneieder! der derp dee derp! Da teetely dum... Rated PG-13

whoever catches that reference gets a gold star

South Park, now GIVE ME THE GOLD STAR!

You mean The Biggest Douche in the Universe? Where Cartman has to get Kennys soul out of him and Stan tries to get everyone to think that John Edward is a douche.

Here it is

[JoS]

I just want to outline the risks involved. Not only is there risk to the individual, but the whole human race. It could potentially create a pandemic of AIDs or some unknown disease that could cross species lines. After all AIDs is believed to have come originally from primates, so its not beyond the realm of possibility for other diseases to jump lines too. Not to mention tany ethical issues that arise or the genetic engineering of the pig to lower reject rates or possible alternations done to the human recieving the organ to avoid rejection.

The first xenotransplant was done in 1984 using a baboon heart into an infant, who died several weeks later from the high doses of anti-rejection drugs.

[therealsylvos]

PETA would have a heart attack "Those animals didn't sign organ donor cards so steal some humans organs instead"
but seriously once it can be proven to be safe, i cant imagine any objection if it will save a human life.

[EnragedSephiroth]

At 9/26/07 05:33 PM, therealsylvos wrote: PETA would have a heart attack "Those animals didn't sign organ donor cards so steal some humans organs instead"
but seriously once it can be proven to be safe, i cant imagine any objection if it will save a human life.

Not only that but religious extremists would probably be adamantly against it saying "you won't get into heaven because you have some mundane animal's entrails in you" or something of that nature; making mountains out of molehills as always.