Here is an article I read in the Seattle News Fax
"Washington--Pig embryos could provide sources of new organ and tissue transplants for people, and they may pose fewer risks than material from adult tnimals, Israeli researchers said Monday.
They found that if cells were taken from pig embryos at precisely the right time, they grew into liver, pancreas and lung tissues in mice.
The researchers said their findings also help explain why earlier experiments did not work. If transplanted at the wrong time, they found the pig embryo cells grew into tumors, called teratomas, instead of the desired tissue.
Not only is there a shortage of whole organs for transplant, but tissue transplants could be used to treat diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and liver failure.
Many researchers are working on the possibility of animal to human transplants, also called xenotransplants. Pigs are a popular choice because they are about the same size as humans and have a similar physiology."
aside from the scientific insight, from a philisophical standpoint, can those of us who don't eat pork be subject to this type of future transplant? (things that make ya go hmmm)
"Washington--Pig embryos could provide sources of new organ and tissue transplants for people, and they may pose fewer risks than material from adult tnimals, Israeli researchers said Monday.
They found that if cells were taken from pig embryos at precisely the right time, they grew into liver, pancreas and lung tissues in mice.
The researchers said their findings also help explain why earlier experiments did not work. If transplanted at the wrong time, they found the pig embryo cells grew into tumors, called teratomas, instead of the desired tissue.
Not only is there a shortage of whole organs for transplant, but tissue transplants could be used to treat diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and liver failure.
Many researchers are working on the possibility of animal to human transplants, also called xenotransplants. Pigs are a popular choice because they are about the same size as humans and have a similar physiology."
aside from the scientific insight, from a philisophical standpoint, can those of us who don't eat pork be subject to this type of future transplant? (things that make ya go hmmm)