Reference no: EM133230031

Topic

Scientists have been able to scratch the surface on some very advanced and very ethically/morally "tight rope walking" concepts in modern medicine. We can now genetically engineer a subset of pigs to essentially be organ donors for humans. Scientists can insert human genes in the pig genome in order to have their MHC (major histo-compatibility complex) expressed HLA (human leukocyte antigen) haplotypes that are fully human. This is crucial from a transplant success perspective, as HLA expressed on the cell surface in the form of MHC protein, tells the body's immune system not to attack the MHC expressing cells presenting self antigens. If you have alleles of HLA that are too different in their coding sequence, the body will reject the organ. These pig grown organs may be an avenue to aide modern medicine and save lives of people needing immediate transplants.

1. Do you think it is ok to breed animals, much like the mini-pig, to act as organ donors for humans? Currently, we still raise pigs for food. Instead of discarding their organs, does it stand to reason that we should use more of their body if we have the opportunity to do so? This would be much like the organ donor program that exists for people when they pass.

2. Is this potential organ donor program a situation where "science is going too far" or do you think that science should pursue this therapeutic avenue and use pig grown organs to supplement the need for human donor transplants around the world?