In the world we’re living in today, many kinds of diseases, infections, and viruses are continuously arising. At the same time, scientists are untiringly researching about how we can prevent or cure them. Unfortunately, millions of people have been affected and sick that some of their organs fail that results to the need of organ replacement. Many people have died because no organs have been available to provide the need of organ replacements. The shortage of organ replacement has been a bioethical issue since then and it seems like no solution has been available. However, due to the studies scientists have been conducting, they found the most possible answer to this issue – Xenotransplantation. It hasn’t become very popular all over the …show more content…
However, in 1960s, it reemerged. Interest in this area increased when series of events happened related to xenotransplantation happened and they are listed …show more content…
Renal Heterotransplantation in man. Ann Surg. 1964 Sep. 160:384-410). • “In 1984, a baboon heart was transplanted into a newborn infant, Baby Fae, who had hypoplastic left heart syndrome and lived 20 days after heart surgery” (Bailey LL, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL, Concepcion W, et al. Baboon-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation in a neonate. JAMA. 1985 Dec 20.
Attention Getter: A week and a half ago, there was a news article reporting that Dr. Bud Frazier was being honored for performing the most heart transplants nationwide. Specifically, he performed 1,500 heart transplants and implanted 1,000 left ventricular assist devices. He is also the man who invented the device. Where did the remarkable research and advances begin for organ transplants in human beings, and how did it make progress?
The progression of modern science and technology has often challenged old, time-worn notions. Nowhere does this seem truer than in biology and medicine, as these fields have changed drastically in recent decades and also relate so closely to the actual substance of how people live. One such development is what is called xenotrans-plantation or the transplantation of organs or cells across species—particularly notable when from a non-human species into a human. The very fact that the procedure is possible is telling as regards the inherently ephemeral nature of the distinction of humans from other animals. It may be useful to first outline how xenotransplantation works, however.
The medical procedure of Xenotransplantation, (transplanting animal organs into humans) has been happening for many years, this medical practice was proceeding mixed results and mixed views regarding the procedure. In the year 1984, a baby girl whom was named Baby Fae by medical staff, became known world wide for the medical procedure she endured. Baby Fae had a potentially fatal heart problem, she was suffering from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome which is a fatal disease if not treated by surgery, (Time Magazine, 1984). The only way to save her was to replace her failing heart with a healthy seven month old baboon heart. The medical professionals that were working on Baby Fae were excited to be able to perform this Xenotransplantation on the infant. After the procedure Baby Fae was acting like any normal healthy infant would. But unfortunately, the replacement heart surgery wasn’t a true success story as the medical staff had hoped. Baby Fae died 20 days after her surgery because her tiny body rejected the baboons heart, which then went on to cause other fatal damage such as kidney...
Pre-clinical trials have focused on swine and baboons as potential donation sources. At first thought, baboons may be the obvious choice over swine considering that they are closer both genetically and immunologically to humans. However, in comparison to swine, baboons are toug...
Dr. Bailey claimed that since the recipient was an infant, her immune system was not developed enough to reject the transplant.16 However, immunologists stated that the immune system is developed enough by birth to reject transplantation. Also, since baboons have no antigens in common with human tissue, there is no way the procedure would be successful. Despite these findings, Dr. Bailey told the parents that the transplantation would offer the baby a hope for life and possible long-term survival.16 Finally, when Dr. Bailey was questioned by the Times of London, he stated that he does not believe in evolution so that the evolutionary distance between a baboon and human had not gone into his decision making process when choosing a donor. Dr. Bailey had not looked for a human heart donor nor did he do a ref...
Currently 70,000 Americans are on the organ waiting list and fewer than 20,000 of these people can hope to have their lives saved by human organ transplantation.1 As a result of this shortage, there has been a tremendous demand for research in alternative methods of organ transplantation. Private companies are racing to develop these technologies with an estimated market of six billion dollars.2 Xenotransplantation, or cross-species organ transplantation, appears to be the most likely solution in the near future, and cloned pigs are the main candidates. Pigs and humans have remarkable similarities in physiology, which along with cloning makes pigs strong possibilities for organ donors. A controversial alternative method involves the use of genetically altered headless human beings as organ donors. Although this method may not be developed for some years, scientists are already discussing the necessary technologies. Whether the solution is the cloning of a pig or a human, organ farms may provide us with a solution to our ever-increasing need for donors.
Embryonic stem cell research is the medical study of cells taken from embryos before they are able to implant into a uterus. This procedure – harvesting the cells – ultimately destroys the embryo rendering it non-viable and unable to sustain life. Adult stem cell research is simply the study of stem cells harvested from adults and used in many areas of medicine. Numerous groups are opposed this sort of research because they feel it infringes on the right to life, while others do not believe that an embryo that has spent five days in a petri dish should be considered a human. In the 1800’s the first discovery of stem cells occurred. This discovery proved that some cells could spawn other cells. However, it was not until the early 1900’s that research demonstrated stem cells could generate blood cells. This was very promising in the medical community at that time since so many diseases ran rampant and were incurable. During the infancy of stem cell research, both animal and human stem cells were used. Now, for medic...
... date. By contrast, the transplantation of baboon livers and chimpanzee kidneys into humans had resulted in deaths due to illnesses not related to organ failure.
As a medical assistant, I will tell the patients that we need to establish that radiographs are a necessary part of good patients care. Since we can’t see inside of our body, radiographs provide valuable information that we can’t visualize. I will also tell the patients that if they don’t want to take X-rays there will be a greater negative effect. I will also explain her that if we take X-rays, we will know how to taking care of her. If she refuse to take X-rays, we will not know about her health situation and there will be a big problems and it can also lead to death. I will reassure her that if you don’t take X-rays, we cannot give you the care you deserve without radiographs. So be prepare on the next visit for X-rays. If the patient refuse
On your pig nose reports I was thrilled to see that for the last six weeks you’ve averaged 545 animals bred per week and, that also for the last week ultrasounds you’ve had 536 animals standing pregnant. At this rate, you should have the right number of animals farrowing by the last week of August and weaning by the last week of September. Congratulations on this achievement! Whatever you do, please do not abort any animals out of any of these groups. We need to make sure that your animals are staying pregnant and, figure out what your true post-ultrasound fallout rate is. For the previous twenty weeks; unfortunately, ten percent post-ultrasound fallout and, six percent pre-ultrasound fallout. Six percent pre-ultrasound fallout is excellent
Perhaps you’ve read about the countless celebrities who receive Botox treatments, or maybe you’ve seen it advertised and would like to know more about what it entails. If you’ve never had Botox, you might be interested to know that it can be performed right at Rituals Medi-Spa, the premier medical day spa of High Point, NC.
Organ transplantation is apperceived as one of the most prehending achievements for preserving life in medical history. This procedure provides a means of giving life to patience’s who suffer from terminal organ failure, which requires the participation of individuals; living or deceased, to donate their organs for the more preponderant good of society.
The exploration of space is a noble pursuit in the confines of bringing us forward as a species. To reach ends of the cosmos that our ancestors could only dream of, if they even knew such cosmos even existed at the time. However, there are many predicaments that need to be settled if we are to take this giant leap into potentially expanding our world to that of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, etc. These come down to the unification of our nations to meet this goal, the measures we should take to restrain ourselves from the harvesting of all the resources we can find, and the obvious technological need to get us there. However, out of these major walls in the way of our grand venture how we choose to harness such a power is our most important concern.
Scientists must recognize pigs are a primary resource for xenotransplants because a large supply of pigs can be grown under standardized conditions. Pigs are efficient to harvest because “their early sexual maturation and frequent large litters” allow them to produce “a significant number animals” (Slasman, 2003). The rapid breeding of pigs provides doctors with a large selection of pigs to choose from when a patient needs an organ or tissue. Doctors can choose a pig suitable for their patient or coordinate procedures. For instance, if one patient needs a skin graft, while another patient needs a heart, the pig can be harvested to serve multiple purposes. This protocol will ensure the pig's body is used to its maximum potential. In addition
However, these advances are being brought into question. Is it morally incorrect to transplant animal organs into human recipients. Xenotransplantation could also have consequences scientists are not yet aware of. There are too many questions left unanswered leaving one to wonder if xenotransplantation is the best solution. It something of sciene fiction.