from NY Times 2/3/98
(Xenotransplants have hit a roadblock to animal organ transplants):
"mounting concern that in putting animal organs into people, scientists
could unleash unknown, and possibly deadly, viruses that could spread among
an unsuspecting public.
(The) F.D.A. officials . . . intend to lift the hold on Nextran's
work, as well as studies by five other small companies, as soon as they
show they have carefully tested both animals and patients for infections.
One company, Diacrin Inc, of Charlestown, Mass., has already done so,
resuming its research, which involves implanting fetal pig cells into the
brains of patients with Parkinson's disease, Huntiongton's disease and
epilepsy."
This is an issue that may have increasing importance to the Parkinson's
community if porcine cell transplants fulfill the early promise they have
shown.
Regards,
Ken Aidekman
Fund the Research. Find the Cure.
