Grafting pig organs for ... people

If the ability to use pig heart on people is satisfied, the patient will live longer, at least 6 months. This has been recognized by the International Heart Transplant Association.

The " Xeno-tranplantation " scheme, which has been cultivated by science, is gradually becoming feasible, when Revivicor's genetically modified pigs have existed in their normal lives. "Those are pigs worth millions of dollars.

Their DNA has been corrected for specific genes, so there is no alpha-I-galactose type, which makes the human body reject the tissues and organs of other animals - David Ayares, Director "People with special antibodies, will quickly recognize this type of sugar and will have a reaction to eliminate waste within minutes," said Revivicor Biotechnology Company director.

Therefore, this gene has been corrected and there will be modifications in genes that produce other sugars in the next batch of pigs . On a near future, pig body parts will be safe. for transplantation into the human body ".

(Artwork: schrem) The ability of organ transplantation between species is a future biological breakthrough. Through its partner partner Revivicor, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) has boldly invested in this controversial field. "Organ transplants between species are a potential problem that many people can do , " said Professor - Doctor Thomas E.Starzi, a veteran transplant specialist from UPMC.

He was one of the pioneers in seeking the ability to replace organs between animals, in order to improve the serious shortage of need for various organs. In UPMC experiments, transgenic pig hearts have progressed well in about 3 months after being transplanted into a baboon-like chest.

This initial success can last up to 6 months or more - once scientists conduct other genetic corrections in the pig genome. For immediate priority is the use of specialized insulin-producing kidney cells in type I diabetics. According to Issi Casanova, a spokesman for Revivicor Biology, there are about 40 patients in Mexican Children's Hospital received a pig kidney cell transplant over the past 5 years. Some have significantly reduced the need for insulin .

Since 2004, experiments on pig kidney transplants in monkeys in UPMC conducted by Dr. Massimo Trucco's team have also achieved certain success. Researchers here are planning a pig heart transplant for patients with severe heart failure to replace gas pumps. According to the Revivicor Company, the market for organ transplants from pigs will be worth at least $ 6 billion. UPMC and Revivicor together with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plan to have human clinical trials within the next few years.

According to Dr. David Mc.Cooper at the University of Pittsburgh, who is visiting at Harvard University, " Intercrossing organ transplants are much more feasible than stem cells. can replace any type of body cell from that "trash material." Creating a heart, or a kidney, or a liver . from stem cells is now in the scientific category. This is a reality that can only be realized within a century, but at least we have organs available, especially when they show their ability to function. good through experiments.

In addition, genetically engineered pig hearts can provide temporary relief for patients with congestive heart failure, a common disease in people whose hearts cannot. pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Some people with this disease are currently treated with artificial pumping device through the abdomen. In some special cases, the use of transplanted heart helps the patient live longer than the artificial heart with a mechanical pump in the University of Pittsburgh for a maximum of 3 months.

If you satisfy the ability to use pig heart on people, the patient will live longer, at least 6 months! " This has been recognized by the International Heart Transplant Association - At a symposium in 2000, researchers reported that pig hearts were able to" survive "3 to 6 months after transplants on primates, and some cases of pig heart baboons have lived for more than half a year .

According to the US Department of Health statistics, there are nearly 100,000 Americans waiting for organ transplantation with fragile hope, thousands of people died before finding the necessary compatible parts. Only half the source of the donor agency has the consent of the owner, especially the kidneys and the heart .

Highmark Inc. Health Insurance Company recently funded $ 1.5 million to UPMC research groups, to promote new treatments. Fujisawa Investments for Entrepreneurship LP also invested in this promising program with half a million dollars.

In addition, Revivicor Biotechnology Company signed a contract with Zimmer Holdings Inc., an Indiana surgical firm to use pig cells for transplantation to repair cartilage. Damaged ligaments, bones and tissues. These transplant organs are extracted from pig skin, some to treat hernias and dislocated joint muscles in accidents.

According to experts, when these cells die, their bodies are still used to stimulate cell growth in and around the joint area. prolonging life for people.

Hong Tran