Genetic Engineering: 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

Just a Definition for Xenotransplantation

The FDA (2010) defines xenotransplantation as any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either (a) live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or (b) human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.

If you were curious to where I got my information.....

BBC News | HEALTH | Artificial liver 'could be grown'. (2002, April 25). BBC NEWS | News Front Page. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1949073.stm
Trivedi, B. P. (2002, January 3). Cloned Pigs Modified for Use in Human Transplants.Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/01/0103_020103TVclonedpig.html

Beschorner, W. E. (2010, January 14). Xenotransplantation: eMedicine Pediatrics: Surgery. eMedicine - Medical Reference. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1014080-overview

Xenotransplantation. (2010, February 4). U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Xenotransplantation/default.htm

Henderson, M. (2009, June 3). Transplant of pig organs into humans closer after stem cell breakthrough - Times Online . Times Online | News and Views from The Times and Sunday Times . Retrieved May 17, 2010, from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol

Piggy Power!

Bijal Trivedi (2002) informs that genetically engineered pig organs have been proven to be well suited for transplantation in humans. Pig organs are approximately the same size as human organs and have comparable plumbing, which makes reconnecting blood vessels easier. Pigs also reproduce quickly which keeps the organs "in stock."

Mark Henderson (2009) says that scientists in China have successfully reprogrammed pig skin and bone marrow cells into an embryo-like state with the potential to form every type of body tissue.

The Famous Mouse with the Human Ear

The human ear Dr. Jay Vacanti greaw on a mouse in 1997 set the stage for genetically engineering organs. Shortly after, the man behind the ear stated it would one day be possible to "grow" a liver.

Why Wait?

Patients linger on lists for long periods of time waiting for an organ that they need to live. Some patients unfortunately don't live long enough for their name to be called. William Edward Beschorner (2010) concluded, based on the 2008 United States Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network of Organ Sharing waiting list for hearts, kidneys, livers, and pancreatic islets, approximately 500,000 transplants or more could be performed annually in the United States and more than 1.3 million transplants could be performed annually in the developed world if organs were available.

So if an animal organ is genetically engineered to meet your needs......WHY WAIT?!? Think about it:)