The Medical Thread

cheerfulgreek · #1 12-08-2008, 05:01 PM

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

AKA_Monet · #2 12-08-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

It's Franken-animals. They have "mostly human genetics" but grow in animals. Ironically, pigs have similar "structures" as humans and one can make transgenic easier from pigs. Also the there is not vertical transfers from infections like there would be with primates--namely monkeypox and other illnesses. Pigs can give something to humans, but I forget what they are...

I have not said anything about the ethics regarding this situation. That is a different question.

And yes, there is a shortage of human organs and that which matches. With the "franken-animals" the heart, etc. can be transgenically cloned in...

cheerfulgreek · #3 12-09-2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

It's Franken-animals. They have "mostly human genetics" but grow in animals. Ironically, pigs have similar "structures" as humans and one can make transgenic easier from pigs. Also the there is not vertical transfers from infections like there would be with primates--namely monkeypox and other illnesses. Pigs can give something to humans, but I forget what they are...

If you're talking about certain organs that pigs can give to people I would have some concerns, because pigs are known to carry PERVs. I don't think people would be able to keep them dormant like pigs are able to do. Pigs would have to be genetically engineered in order for them to be totally free of the virus. I don't think they're going to actually start with actual organs though. As I can remember, based on what the article was saying, they'll more likely than not, start with insulin cells from the pancreas in order to treat people who are diabetic. I would really like to see something like this happen successfully. I also wonder how many people would be willing to accept an organ from a pig, once this procedure has been perfected.

AKA_Monet · #4 12-09-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

If you're talking about certain organs that pigs can give to people I would have some concerns, because pigs are known to carry PERVs. I don't think people would be able to keep them dormant like pigs are able to do. Pigs would have to be genetically engineered in order for them to be totally free of the virus. I don't think they're going to actually start with actual organs though. As I can remember, based on what the article was saying, they'll more likely than not, start with insulin cells from the pancreas in order to treat people who are diabetic. I would really like to see something like this happen successfully. I also wonder how many people would be willing to accept an organ from a pig, once this procedure has been perfected.

I am talking about PERV...

cheerfulgreek · #5 12-12-2008, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I am talking about PERV...

o.k. then we're on the the same page. It can still be done though, they would just have to make some changes genetically.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #6 02-01-2009, 02:39 AM

I want to know what kind of funny questions you vets are getting when you receive those phone calls.

cheerfulgreek · #7 02-01-2009, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

I want to know what kind of funny questions you vets are getting when you receive those phone calls.

It never ends.

Why does my dog keep dragging his butt across the ground?
My dog got sprayed by a skunk, what should I do?
I think my dog/cat has toad poisoning. What should I do?
My dog's eye is out of its socket.
My dog just got attacked by a bunch of bees
My dog has a hunting arrow inside of him. How do I get it out?

I could go on and on about the phone calls we get, and some of the things that I've seen.

The most hilarious one though was this lady and her cat. She called and said that her cat is in heat, and wanted to know how to stop the whining. I asked her about getting her cat fixed, but she didn't want to do that. She just wanted to know if we had some kind of meds that would stop the whining. I started explaining to her the most effective way to stop the crying. I got half way though and she cut me off and said forget it, I'll just get her fixed. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but I guess she did. She said "Absolutely not. I'll just get her fixed!"

AOII Angel · #8 02-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Has anyone read the article in "NewScientist" magazine about xeno organs? It was just saying that in the near future, a person in need of a heart transplant could be offered a pigs organ. I guess there was a group of people who met in China to talk about certain global guidelines in regards to the first clinical trials of xenotransplants. Is there a short supply of human organs or something, because I can't see how this would be possible. It just seems like they would have to make a lot of genetic changes to prevent the organs from being attacked/rejected as foreign by the immune system. I thought it was a great article though.

This isn't an out-there concept. You know that we already implant pig valves into people who need new heart valves. When you get a new valve, there are three options, cadaveric, pig or mechanical. Patients do not go on anti-rejection drugs with pig valves because our immune system accepts pig parts fairly well.

cheerfulgreek · #9 02-02-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

This isn't an out-there concept. You know that we already implant pig valves into people who need new heart valves. When you get a new valve, there are three options, cadaveric, pig or mechanical. Patients do not go on anti-rejection drugs with pig valves because our immune system accepts pig parts fairly well.

Thanks for that AOP Angel. This was all new to me until I read the article.