Comments on: Australia lifts ban on animal to human transplants

By: Australia lifts ban on animal to human transplants | JDRF – Type 1 Diabetes Blog – Path To A Cure « Sue Marshall blogs about diabetes for Desang

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:06:42 +0000

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By: Jacky

Jacky — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Please, don't get me wrong. I want a cure too. I hate seeing my little girl suffer – with coeliac disease as well. Just research and think about what you are reading.

By: Jacky

Jacky — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:30:36 +0000

Sarah, you seem to be well informed. Can you share what you have read about LCT please.

As I said in my earlier post, information is critical – information from BOTH sides. I have begun reading some of the latest peer reviewed papers in journals such as: Xenotransplantation 16 (4), pp. 215-222 . Following is an excert from the abstract. DPF status is 'designated pathogen-free" and is used in regard to the pigs used for xenotransplantation.
The DPF status cannot be realized for endogenous viruses, such as porcine endogenous retrovirus. Therefore, regulatory authorities require patient monitoring after xenotransplantation. Considering the infectious pathogen status and necessary regulatory compliance, it is recommended that organ procurement be conducted at the animal facility and that cell manufacturing facilities be located nearby. To enable assessment of as-yet unknown pathogens long after xenotransplantation, regulatory guidances mandate archiving donor materials for at least 50 yr. As this is essentially a public health issue, governmental institutions are urged to be responsible for the archive.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:32:14 +0000

Unfortunately, Jacky is misinformed. LCT, the company intending to bring encapsulated porcine beta cells to market uses pathogen free pigs treated in a very strictly regulated and sterile environment. The pigs are from a special isolated breed that has proven to be disease free. The pigs live a very good pampered life and are treated humanely. The fact is, the first insulin was animal sourced, and humans will use animals for food anyway, like it or not. Furthermore, not only have people eaten pigs from the slaughterhouse and farmyard for years, but pig heart valves, clotting factor, and insulin have been used for years without harm. There is no reason to suggest that any diseases would be transmitted via xenotransplants. Lastly, as the encapsulated cells are safely protected from the immune system (against innate and autoimmunity), there is NO immune suppression involved. Propaganda and misinformation is exactly what is standing in front of a viable cure therapy. Forget lab results, LCT has had success in HUMAN trials. In other words, this could deliver a "cure" NOW. I hope JDRF supports LCT.

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:55:01 +0000

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 43 years ago and commenced treatment for the first few years on bovine or cattle insulin injected via glass syringes and then moved to porcine or pig insulin then eventually to the human type insulin. I understand the possible problems associated with xenotransplantation but for many years insulin from animals kept me alive, healthy and enjoying life to the fullest. Eventhough there maybe possible complications with animal Islet cell transplantation, I, for one would gladly undergo the procedure in order to possibly return to the type of freedom I enjoyed in my pre-diabetic life of so long ago and more importantly to reduce or cease the insidious ongoing damage to my body from diabetes.

By: Simon

Simon — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:03:29 +0000

I have had T1 diabetes for the last 24 years and would welcome a islet transplant but it does still mean taking regular medication so which one is more of a problem-immunosuppressant drugs or insulin…at least the immunosuppressant drugs can be taken orally!!
There is also alot of techniques for the detection of virus particles/RNA/DNA without the need for a disease to be present so I would be fairly happy to take the chance given that these pigs haven't seen wild animals (diseased or carriers) for a number of generations and as such something like swine flu would not be a concern (you need water fowl contact as well to concoct these nasties)

By: Sharlene

Sharlene — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:25:09 +0000

Congrats to the researchers that have the courage to explore the unknown. This may be a major break thru for all people suffering with T1. No one is saying that you have to accept the "cure" but for those of us willing to thats our choice. I am so gald that I fundraise for JDRF its wonderful to see where some of the money goes. looking forward to a CURE.

By: Jacky

Jacky — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:10:22 +0000

Pigs have retroviures in their DNA that can be transmitted to humans. Several of these viruses can be tested for, and if positive, these pigs wouldn't be used. However, you can only scan for viruses that you know about. It is highly likely that there are viruses that researchers have not yet discovered. Immunosuppressant drugs are required for any transplant. These drugs 'turn off' the immune system, rendering it useless against any new viruses. These zoonotic viruses can also have a devastating effect on whole communities as we have seen with the swine flu virus.

I want a cure too. Diseases such as T1D suck, but if you're going to sign yourself up for such things, you need to be really well informed and not just rely on what the biotech companies tell you. They are there to make money, not for the good of the community. The cure may be worse than the disease.

By: Monika

Monika — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:13:35 +0000

I was diagnosed with T1D when i was 15, i am now almost 24. Although there are many other illnesses out there that are far worse, being a diabetic is not as straight forward as allot of people believe. i think if they can prove that in doing the xenotransplantation there will not be a transfer of illness from the animal its self. WHY NOT?? My pancreas doesnt work anyway. if it is uncussesfull we are only back where we started from.

By: justine

justine — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:19:05 +0000

I am a person who has a daughter with Type 1. and autism. Yes I desperately want a cure for her, but it would depend on how the animal is treated. If the pigs conditions are bad my daughter and I will have to wait for a different cure. We 're very distressed about the conditions pigs live in as it is !!! How are they going to police these conditions?