dear jim
i have never expressed my opinion on transplants as i am not sure
how i feel about some. of them.
your mention of different types of possible other types of using variuous
kinds of pig to human transplants as maybe causing viruses.
this made me remember that when i was a child
[ i am 75 now ] that we knew a man who had his stomach replaced with a
pigs. i can't remember the details now but i do know pig parts were used a
long time ago.don't know if todays researchers have dug way back to check
how much of this was done.
connie
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Finn" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2000 9:10 AM
Subject: 4 years with 'pig cell' therapy
> Friends -
>
> This week marks the 4th anniversary of the operation transplanting cells
> (obtained from specially bred pigs) into my brain in an attempt to
diminish
> the ravages of Parkinson's Disease. This process is known as
> xenotransplantation. During the past 4 years I have written a diary of
> experiences with this exciting research. For those of you who have not
read
> it, please go to Janet Paterson's WebSite where she graciously maintains
the
> chronicle. <www.geocities.com/janet313/pienet/finn>.
>
> Yesterday I spent the entire day in Boston with the attending neurologist
and
> his staff. They are the team that has been monitoring my progress both
> before and after the operation. The usual tests were performed; walking,
> balance, dexterity, speech, cognitive ability, rigidity, tremor, blood
work,
> an MRI, etc. They are done twice; first in the "off" state (when I've had
no
> medication for over 16 hours) and then again when "on."
>
> Even when "off" I do pretty well on most of the tests. In fact, there is
no
> problem in getting from the parking lot to the doctor's office, a distance
of
> several city-blocks. Prior to the operation such a task was extremely
> difficult; now I don't give it too much thought. The wheel chair (which I
> was having to use more frequently before the surgery) is collecting dust
in
> the garage. Ditto the cane. Naturally, the freedom from these devices is
> most welcome.
>
> Two words came up during the day. They were "excellent" and "impressive."
> The medical staff is very pleased with my progress. While it is obvious I
> still have Parkinson's, the symptoms are greatly reduced. Let's hope this
> continues!
>
> Xenotransplantation is not without controversy. There is the fear of
unknown
> viruses being transmitted (from another species) into mankind. I am happy
to
> report that no viruses have shown up in any of the participants in this
> medical study.
>
> As you can tell, I'm pretty excited by all of this and firmly believe in
this
> procedure. But it's clearly not for everyone. Out of the original group
of
> 12 I apparently have had the best results. The question is, "Why?"
> Obviously, much research remains to be done. We may be seeing just the
> proverbial tip of the iceberg.
>
> A few words on publicity. While I have not sought any, I have made myself
> available to both print and broadcast outlets. The story of
> xenotransplantation, and the hope that it provides, is an important one.
Not
> only to victims of neurological disorders but others as well. This
research
> may lead to treatments and cures for a great variety of conditions.
Things
> like diseases of the heart, liver, and lungs for example. The potential
is
> enormous.
>
> The press knows this. As a result I have been inundated with requests for
> interviews. This story, and my small role in it, has been portrayed on
> television by "60 Minutes," "HealthWeek," and several other broadcasters
such
> as the famed BBC. Several magazines, including "Popular Science" have
> published articles. Other projects are in production.
>
> Questions? Feel free to write directly to me and I'll do my best to
answer
> them.
>
> Jim Finn
>
