SCIENTISTS SEE NO ETHICAL DILEMMA IN DEVELOPING PIG ORGANS FOR HUMAN TRANSPLANTATION
The shortage of human organs available for transplantation has led scientists to explore the possibility of xenotransplantation (animal-to-human transplantation) as an alternative source of tissues and organs for treating many diseases. One major focus of their research is to attempt to genetically alter animals so that the transplanted tissue or organ is not rejected by the human immune system.
(PRWEB) January 17, 2002
ARLINGTON, VA – January 17, 2002 -- The shortage of human organs available for transplantation has led scientists to explore the possibility of xenotransplantation (animal-to-human transplantation) as an alternative source of tissues and organs for treating many diseases. One major focus of their research is to attempt to genetically alter animals so that the transplanted tissue or organ is not rejected by the human immune system. Because pigs are physiologically similar to humans and are easily bred, many scientists believe that they are ideal candidates for developing less immunogenic organs for transplantation. However, there are also those in the research and medical community who believe that xenotransplantation poses a grave danger to human health because of the risk of transferring potentially harmful animal viruses into the human population. These individuals believe that xenotransplantation would create numerous health, environmental, economic, ethical, and legal problems, which could cause tremendous suffering.
Given the topical nature of this debate, The Science Advisory Board polled its members about whether they believed there was any ethical dilemma in the development of pig organs for safe transplantation into humans. Of the 621 respondents, a majority (68%) believe that there is no ethical dilemma and 24% felt that there was an ethical dilemma in developing pig organs for human transplantation. Only 8% of respondents were not sure. “This implicit endorsement has contributed to the enthusiasm demonstrated by biotechnology companies, which are racing to develop genetically altered pigs,” says Dr. Tamara Zemlo, Director of Scientific & Medical Communications at The Science Advisory Board. Recently, two biotechnology companies (Immerge BioTherapeutics in collaboration with the University of Missouri and PPL Therapeutics in Scotland) announced that they had replaced a specific gene known to induce immune rejection of transplanted pig organs in primates. This critical advance will enable scientists to work more swiftly towards the ultimate goal of achieving successful xenotransplantations.
ABOUT THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD
The Science Advisory Board is an online panel of more than 6,100 scientists, physicians and other life science and medical professionals from 62 countries. By convening electronically, Science Advisory Board members participate in online studies to voice their opinions on issues that directly affect the evolution and development of the tools and techniques of their professions. The Science Advisory Board is currently conducting ongoing studies in other exciting areas of the life sciences. Scientists can contribute their own views on the tools and techniques of their field by participating at http://www. scienceboard. net (http://www. scienceboard. net). The Science Advisory Board was organized in 1997 by BioInformatics, LLC (http://www. gene2drug. com (http://www. gene2drug. com)), a research and consulting firm located in Arlington, VA.
