Kaitlyn Culler

BIO 305

30 March 2012

There has been an increase for the need in the number of donors for organ transplant, Because there is such a high demand but a major lack of human donors, many people have died while waiting to receive a transplant. Researchers are trying to find alternatives by performing organ transplants in animals like pigs and monkeys. A study was done by transplanting pig livers into baboons to see if the organ was compatible with that of the baboon and if liver function was possible. The pigs were genetically modified by implanting a gene for a human regulating protein or deleting that produces antigens in which human have natural antibodies for. Six baboons received liver grafts from the genetically modified pigs.

The surgery carried out was typical of that used in human liver transplants. The baboons were then followed up for measurements over the next 4 to 7 days to test for levels of liver enzymes, clotting factors, and protein production. The presence of proteins was tested using the Western blot, which is used to test the presence of specific proteins in a sample of tissue. In four of the baboons clotting factors were measured. Tests were also run to determine how much the pig liver complemented the activity of the baboons’ bodies and biopsies of the liver were taken two hours after surgery and after death of baboons. Out of the six baboons tested, one survived seven days, three survived six days, one survived five days, and one survived four days. Except for the baboon that died within four days, the remaining five showed signs of liver function.

Liver failure can be detrimental to a person’s life, and since there is a shortage of human organs for transplants, finding alternatives is very important. Even though there were detections of liver function in the baboons, sufficient liver function and the production of pro and anti- clotting factors would need to be assured. There have been a few studies that prove that a liver graft would be sufficient for human transplant. One study done in 1993 did a baboon to human liver transplant; the recipient survived 70 days, and normal liver function was reported.

I found this article very interesting because I plan on going into the health field and this is a very important aspect of a health and medicine career. Research like this is very important not only to be used for liver transplants, but for other organs as well. The life expectancy of the older generations is greater than it used to be, so the number of organ donors has decreased, and more people are dying because the demand of the number of transplants available is greater than the supply currently available. If researchers can find a way to use animal organs for human transplants, the new doors opening in the medical world would be endless. Doctors would not have to worry about patients dying while waiting for a much needed transplant, and so many patients would have a chance for a longer and healthier life with this advance in genetics and medicine.