Societal Impact

   In the United States over 60,000 people currently await a human donor organ but only 20,000 organs will become available this year. At least 10 people die every day while waiting.

   Similar figures could be quoted for other regions of the developed world.

   Millions of people with such diverse conditions as diabetes and degenerative brain disease would be saved using xenotransplantion (7) .

   The widespread availability of organs would also eliminate the reported illegal trading of human organs. (8)

   Major religions have generally supported xenotransplantation, based on the idea that God gave man dominion over animal.

   Judaism/Islam prohibit eating pork, but allow the use of pigs to save a life.

   The Vatican (Catholicism), strongly opposes stem cells from human embryos, but supports the idea of animal organs in transplants. (10)

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

Economic Impact 

   Besides the fact that millions of people would be saved, the xenotransplantation industry could create thousands of job opportunities for young promising individuals interested in biotechnology.

   This could be the push that America needs in order to go above and beyond the recession.

   The U.S. spends about $30-$40 million each year to care for patients with organ failure, but with xenotransplantation,  there would be less money spent on caring for these patients.

   This would cause a considerable reduction in the costs of treating the patients with terminal organ failure, such as dialysis. (8)

   The accumulation of this money being saved, could then be spend on allowing poorer people to recieve health care free or at a reduced cost.

Personal Impact

   Suppose you were dying because a vital organ wasn't working as it should. A human transplant would help, but none are available. Would you consider an organ from an animal...say a pig? (10)

Jim Finn

   A Parkinson's patient for 20 years, was willing to take the risk. Eight years ago, Jim participated in a clinical trial by Diacrin, a biotech firm. 12 million fetal pig cells were transplanted into his skull during his surgery.

   Jim stated that before the surgery, he had contemplated suicide because of his detiorated condition, but now, this new science has saved his life. (10)

 

 
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