The near-term implications of Berchorner's work could have a profound influence on organ transplants and the future of patient treatments. Researchers will inject human liver cells into fetal pigs; these pigs will be bred with a "suicide gene" that will be triggered to destroy their own livers. His hope is that human cells will then take the initiative to repopulate the pig liver, thus creating a synthesis of the two within the liver. This current study could lead to breeding pigs specifically for the purpose of human liver transplants. Even now, the use of pig livers are being used as a mechanism to help patients survive a few hours longer while waiting for human liver transplants. Berchorner's research may eventually lead to the design of hybrid livers, which also could be used in research on human liver diseases. He argues that the next step is to use the same technique on baboons, which are much closer to humans than sheep. If this step is successful, then within the next five years the possibility of human testing will become a reality.
The problem with developing such technology and techniques is that it is extremely expensive. Although he has received numerous grants already, such as a two million dollar grant from the Advanced Technology Program, he will need significantly more resources to continue his testing on baboons. Beschorner has said that he plans to use his company to seek anywhere from three to four million in private investments...
He explains, "My feelings were this was going to be very expensive to develop. It was more than you could do with a normal NIH grant" (NPG). The possibilities for a successful venture however are unimaginable. This technology could very well change the foundational principles on organ transplants and save the lives of countless thousands. Breeding pigs as eventual donors will be the next big step towards providing a real cure for liver, heart and other organ diseases for which there was previously no answer. Beschorner's research will be crucial within the next five years for finding answers and providing hope to the many thousands on the national organ transplant waitlist, who are all searching for a possible life line.
REEVES, BOB. DESIGNER PIGS GOAL of MED CENTER RESEARCH. 25 Jan. 2007
http://net.unl.edu/newsFeat/med_eth/me_xeno3.html.
Beschorner, William E. Ximerex, Inc. 25 Jan. 2007 http://www.ximerex.com / index.htm>.
REEVES, BOB. ANIMAL ORGANS HOLD PROMISE for HUMANS. 25 Jan. 2007
http://net.unl.edu/newsFeat/med_eth/me_xeno.html.
Jonietz, Erika. A donor Named Wilbur. 25 Jan. 2007 http://www.islet.org / forum020/messages/18140.htm>.
Beschorner, William E. Heart Xenograft Survival With Chimeric Pig Donors and Modest Immune Suppression. 25 Jan. 2007
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1522128.
