The heart of a pig beats in the heart of a person, in the first few cases this medical achievement was already achieved, at least for a short time.
Kids were also cultivated from animals. It is noteworthy that during the past year, a 62 -year -old man lived in a pork college for about two months before he died with a sudden heart disease, as mentioned recently in the New England of Medicine.
There is an increasing hope that the animal organs help reduce the global deficiency in the organs that are donated. Research has been continuing for decades on the transfer of animal organs to humans, a process known as the transfer of organs between living organisms.
But such interventions were approved in only individual cases. The US Food and Drug Administration allowed for the first time to have clinical trials to transfer pigs. United Therapx biotechnology intends to include up to 50 people in this summer, and the second company concerned is E -Gensis.
It is noteworthy that the genetic material must be modified in the animals from which the organs are transferred to avoid the bodies of those who are subject to the transplant to the organs transferred to them. Animals are raised for this purpose, not only in the United States, but also at the Technical University of Munich and the University of Ludwig Maximilian in Munich, Germany.
Conrad Fisher, head of the Department of Organ transplantation at Munich Technical University, explains that a genetic modification of the genetic installation of animals from which the organs are transferred. In addition to other things, this includes certain sugar formulas on the surface of pig cells, which naturally possess anti -resistance bodies. It is noteworthy that Munich researchers “at the forefront worldwide” regarding these developments.
Anatomical structures
Fischer says the first heart transplant in a person was done in the United States, not in Munich. “We can perform these individual treatments in Europe at any time, the animals are available to us, our experience is available, and we will be ready to implement,” he added.
But in the United States, there is more money available in universities, a high level of cooperation in this field and more infrastructure, for example, to raise pigs in very clean conditions.
Pigs have proven that they are specially promising donor animals. “The pigs are used because they initially showed a high degree of comparison with humans, and it is also very suitable with regard to anatomical structures.”
However, it is very early to determine when this procedure can be applied, and then made it available to tens of thousands of people who can benefit from it.
“Of course, this now depends on all on the studies that begin in the United States,” said Felcendref. Surrounded by 10, 15, or even 20 years.
Among the challenges is the guarantee of animal organs of microorganisms that can harm humans. Joachim Dinier of Frey University in Berlin says it is not easy to assess the risk of infection during organ transplantation.
This is because viruses can penetrate and enter the skin protection system. There are also viruses that do not harm healthy people, but they can do this for sick people.
Denir pointed to a case during which the herpes virus transmission was monitored and its contribution to the death of a patient. He and a large number of experts work to reduce the risk of transmission of viruses. For example, a vaccine virus is developed for swine viruses as a precaution.
Liver failure
The current focus is on kidney and hearts, but humans can receive many animal organs. Research is also conducted on liver and lung transplantation, common cells, and island cells for people with diabetes, as well as heart valves and planting skin and bone molecules, for example after burns. “Almost all pigs and tissues can be used to treat patients,” Fischer explained.
But among the people who are eligible to undergo such a dangerous procedure? And who want to submit to him? United Therapax wants to include patients in study, not qualified for medical reasons for a human transplant, in addition to people who are likely to be more likely to be more likely to get kidney during the next five years.
Velcendrevard believes that a person should not be planted with a good opportunity to get a human organ. For example, a person with severe hepatic failure can quickly need liver. In this case, a pork can be used as a temporary solution for a certain period of time.
Felcendrevre explained that if the coming studies are going well, the process of implanting the patients listed can help the waiting lists. He said that “could happen very soon, even if we are still talking about years.”