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Pig trial changes life of committee member By JOHN FAUBER of the Journal Sentinel staff Last Updated: May 5, 2001 Jim Finn has a perspective unlike any of the other 17 people who advise Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson on xenotransplantation. Finn, a member of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Xenotransplantation, has end-stage Parkinson's disease, a condition affecting 500,000 Americans that is characterized by progressively worsening physical problems such as difficulty in movement, muscular rigidity, tremors and postural instability. Five years ago, he was one of 12 people with the disease who underwent an unusual experiment. More than 12 million brain cells extracted from pig fetuses were injected into his brain in hopes that it would produce more of the brain chemical dopamine. Results from that Phase 1 safety trial and other trials involving both Parkinson's patients and a small group of people who had suffered strokes and who also got pig cells have been mixed. Some got no benefit. Some did. For Finn, the change was dramatic. Finn said he no longer needs a cane, walker or wheelchair, which he had required as the disease progressed. "I can go shopping alone," he said. Most of the improvement took place in the months after the implantation and the days of big gains now are behind him, Finn said. "But remember, this is a progressive condition," he said. "Just holding my own is a gain." Finn, a 53-year-old Newport, R.I., resident was 32 when he was diagnosed with the disease. Finn said the promise of xenotransplantation can't be overstated. "People suffering from heart failure, liver and kidney problems and lung diseases can't afford to waste any more time," he said. "They are literally dying for want of these 'spare parts.' " His complete story in the form of a diary dating from just before the procedure was done to the present is available on the Internet at www.geocities.com/jimcfinn/index.html Information about Diacrin and its clinical trials involving pig cells for Parkinson's, stroke, spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, liver disease and chronic intractable pain can be found on the company's Web site. Click on the "products" page for information about specific conditions and trials. Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on May 6, 2001. http://www.jsonline.com/alive/news/may01/pigsid06050501.asp ******** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn