Conie Angulo

Ali Meghadadi
Writing 37 C
May 12, 2014
Animal Species Have Proven To Be Compatible With Humans
Genetic engineering has brought rise to many new promising fields that have bridged the
gap between organ shortages and transplant demands. Genetic engineering has brought
rise to the genetic code that has allowed us to look at genetic codes of animals and other
spices and determine if they are a compatible matches with others. Due to the vast
increase in human population, organ shortages have become a problem. More and more
people need organ transplants and current solutions that are being proposed have failed.
Genetically constructed organs have proved to be one of case of success however they
lack research and do not promise a near future with results. Although genetically created
organisms have brought new innovations and solutions regarding the lack of organs, they
lack the research and could possibly take years until progress and development is made.
Society as a whole must take into consideration other solutions such as
Xenotransplantations; transplant from an animal into a human, in order to help bridge
the gap between organ shortage and the demand.
Genetic Engineering
One of the main problems that have arisen from a growing population around the world is
the lack of organs available for transplants. For this reason, scientists have created new
methods to keep up with this demand that continues to increase. Genetic engineering is
still a complex subject because studies are still ongoing in the research field to understand
the human body. Trying to utilize a method that is still unpredictable can cause a great
deal of harm to society.
Genetically modified organs have provided a solution to the lack of organs, however, a
technological barrier still exists when it comes to creating the organs. Since genetically
modified organs are unable to provide the nutrients and blood vessels necessary to be
inserted to a human, it has become a challenge to use them. This is the main problem that
needs to be resolved because the organs printed by the machines are unable to replicate
the same materials of a real human organ. Thus there is a lack of research that is being
funded when more time and dedication should go into experiments that have proved to be
successful.
Since genetic engineering has allowed for the progress of the genetic code which has
allowed for further developments, genetically constructed organs are being focused on
more due to the moral aspect. Although there is controversy over all medical procedures,
animal testing and organ transplants have proven to be the biggest problem. Thus instead
of investing so much time on an experiment that will never be passed is seen as a waste
of time, however genetically constructed organs will take much longer and this will
hinder organ transplants that are needed. There is a necessity for organs worldwide and
genetically constructed organs have proved to be a successful idea that had not yet been
achieved. Scientist must face the reality that an idea is much different from results that
been successful and achieved.
Xenotransplantations
Xenotransplantations has proven to be successful in the transplant of animal organs used
for humans. This process is called xenotransplantation that have allowed for scientist to
develop genetically engineered animally especially pigs because they have the most
compatible organs to humans. Xenotransplantation are the process in which animals are
genetically engineered and their organs are used as human transplantations. They are
injected with different antibiotics so that their organs can be biocompatible with the
human body. The pigs are raised in clean factories where there are at times cloned and
this process has been successful. Pascale Piguet and Philippe Poindron, successful
authors of new medical developments, explain pigs have breeding characteristics which
confer suitable properties for transgenesis studies, among mammalians, the pig is indeed
considered as the most suitable potential donor species of organs for solid organ
transplantation in humans. Xenotransplantations are another possible solution to the
large amount of organs that are needed that are currently being tested and are being
trialed today.
History
According to the timeline by The University of Waikato, Xenotransplantations can be
traced back all the way until the 1900s. The first human and sheep, pig, and baboon
transplanted were given to a human with failing organs. This attempt failed because of
biocompatible and pathogens that developed. After this all experiments where stopped
until 1960 when Peter Medawar professor from the University of London discovered that
the transplants where rejected due to the immune system reaction and the
immunosuppressant drug was created. The origination of Xenotransplantations then
began with the Baboon kidney transplant to six patients in Denver by Dr Thomas Starzl.
Although the patients survived approximately from 1998 dies this attempt also failed.
Thus after this attempt further transplants where made such as the first
chimpanzee heart transplant in 1964. This transplant was carried our by James Hardly at
the University of Mississippi, however it failed quickly. Several other organ transplants
where attempted until they found the use for other uses other than just the organ. For
example an attempt that was successful was the pig nerve cell transplant for Parkinsons
disease in 1997. A patient with Parkinsons disease had a procedure done that helped
him. Further development was carried on until clinical trials began in 2011. Today there
are various amounts of cases that have proven successful. They have enriched the lives of
the patients by allowing them to live healthier lives.
Successes
In a recent study regarding the process of using pigs for transplants, pig cells and cultures
have proven successful to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. According to various scientists
at the University of Putra Malaysia in the department of Bioscience and Animal
Reproduction, stated that Islet xenotransplantation are a promising technique for the
restoration of blood glucose control in patients with diabetes mellitus. This process was
first tested on mice and their blood glucose and insulin levels improved drastically. Thus
these graft and cell cultures where used on humans and they proved to be successful in
sustaining viable and functioning blood glucose levels (Hani). Unlike genetically
constructed organs that are relatively new experiments, Xenotransplantations have
proven to be successful. They have shown progress that has failed and succeeded.
Other successful stories have been achieved, they have helped change many ideas that are
currently being developed such as using pig nerves in order to cure some of the problems
that come with Parkinsons disease. Although Xenotransplantations have proven
successful, there is an obstacle that stops this building bridge due to moral issues.
Obstacles
There are several obstacles that physicians have faced due to a deficit of research as well
as oppositions. Safety is a major aspect in the transplant of xenotransplantation because
of pathogens and diseases that could easily be transmitted. Pigs have proven to be the
most compatible pig, however these animals come with the highest risk of disease. They
live in filthy conditions. Although the pigs that would be used for organ transplants
would be raised in a medical farm that would reduce the spread of these disease. Safety
needs to be evaluated in terms of treatment, consent care, and patient care. Another
opposition that is faced is the controversy over moral and ethical views. This controversy
much be reevaluated because pigs are animals that are killed and slaughter everyday for
food, thus using a pig for organ transplants will provide a human with a longer life span.
Genetic Engineering and Xenotransplantations
While genetic engineering is more complex than Xenotransplantations, it is still
considered at some point useful in the development of animal organ transplants. The most
beneficial aspect of using gene engineering is the ability to eliminate genetic diseases in
the organs and this will prevent the need for immunosuppressants and improve
biocompatibility. If they are successful, human are able to expand their life span and
continue to live a normal, healthy life. However, it also holds negative side effects. If the
treatment causes the body to undergo an infection or capture a new disease or illness, it
can be transferred. Usually when this occurs, the action can not be reversed due to the
incredible risk that come with every transplant.
Although Xenotransplantations are still in progress till this day, further solutions need to
be created in order to allow the progress of it. In order to provide the safety of patients
regulations should be set up. First, the review board for genetic experiments should
provide more regulations and become stricter in order to ensure the safety of patients. For
example, an honest and detailed report of the patients health information should be
provided. Also, scientists need to undergo a large extent of research that supports the
success probability of their experiment. The patient needs to be aware of all possible
outcomes, both positive and negative so they can be aware of the level of the situation. A
second solution would be the development of an antivirus or a vector cell that can be
constructed to remove the most potential risks to the body. If the virus happens to damage
the patients health, research should also be working on developing a virus that would
reverse the damage. This would decrease the failing rate of experiments and encourage
more patients to participate in the experiments. An additional solution to the effectiveness
of Xenotransplantations and preventions in disease spreading, genetic their should be
new development of technology. The promise of higher performance technology can
result in more accurate and safer results in treating patients. The process will not be so
time consuming, which means genetic engineering can be practiced more frequently and
lower costs for patients. Thus if scientist take the time to merger both of the gentian
enchantments as well as Xenotransplantations a better world is to come.
Xenotransplantations are the only possible solutions for the lack of organs and the reality
is that this process will bridge the gap for the organ shortage. The reality is very
dangerous and must be carefully evaluated. Many risk may result in this however this has
occurred with every other medical development. First there are tragic failures. However,
these tragic failures are what lead to success and potentially cures for epidemics. If these
animal transplants are successfully practiced, it is capable to remove diseases and
illnesses. Parkinsons Disease and diabetes are main diseases that can be overcome with
the development and implementation of Xenotransplantations. It can improve the
human life span and allow people to obtain a normal, healthy lifestyle.
What prevents this scientific breakthrough to become widely accepted by the community
is the possibility for abuse of power for human needs. It may also give rise to corruptive
practices such as animal abuse. It is important to take a look on the success that can be
achieved and not commit cruel and ethically moral decisions that can stop the
development of Xenotransplantations. Society needs to be assured that the medical
treatment they are receiving will be successful. Proper evidence and trials still need to be
founded in order to be placed in the medical market and being the process of animal
farming. With the rise of Xenotransplantations many problems can be solved not only
will it limit the problem of organ shortage but also limit the sale of organs in the black
market and human and organ trafficking. Xenotransplantations will not only help with
human lifespans but also lead to other medical advancement that will help cure diseases.


Works Cited
Hani, Homayoun, et al. "Caprine Pancreatic Islet Xenotransplantation Into Diabetic
Immunosuppressed BALB/C Mice." Xenotransplantation 21.2 (2014): 174-182.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 May 2014.
Piguet P, Poindron P (eds): Genetically Modified Organisms and Genetic Engineering in
Research and Therapy. BioValley Monogr. Basel, Karger, 2012, vol 3, pp 132
"Xenotransplantation | Biotech Learning Hub." Biotechnology Learning Hub RSS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 13 May 2014.
<http://www.biotechlearn.org.nz/themes/xenotransplantation_and_organ_donation/xenotr
ansplantation>.