Medicine is a forever evolving subject, and scientists and researchers are constantly finding new ways to find innovative solutions to challenging medical problems. One such solution regarding human organ transplants gained attention in the past week when pig organs were partially revived after death. This landmark incident has unlocked huge possibilities with concern to the future of organ transplants and xenotransplantation. However, along with every medical breakthrough the question that crosses many is whether or not this practice is ethical?
Where It All Started…
You may be wondering how research regarding humans and pig organs even came about. Initially, I also found it absurd how humans and pigs could have compatible organs. Therefore, the event that occurred on January 7, 2022 at the University of Maryland Medical Centre was shocking. On that day, 57-year-old David Bennet, who had passed away in March, received a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig. This is where the concept of xenotransplantation became heavily conversed about in the medical community. To clarify, xenotransplantation is when cells, tissues, and organs are transferred between species, and this concept came about in the 17th century. However, the idea of pig organs is still peculiar especially considering the controversy surrounding their “cleanliness,” and some religions also prohibit their consumption. Despite that, pigs became a strong contender for xenotransplantation as they can be raised in a safe and sanitary environment, have their organs genetically modified, and grown to the size needed. Economically speaking, pigs are also cheaper to raise and reproduce quickly in comparison to other animals. Pigs are also agricultural animals, so the Animal Welfare Act is not applicable. For these reasons, pig organ transplants became a reality.
How Pig Organs Were Partially Revived
In the previous section, I talked about how pig organs came about in human transplants. With that in mind, another discovery regarding pig organs has been found. That discovery was that researchers were able to partially revive the circulation and cellular activity in some vital organs of pigs. Once again, this has led to new ideas circulating about death and ethics. The research team from Yale University used technology known as OrganEx, and the experiments involved around 100 pigs that were given previous ethical approval. Down below are key points from the research and experiments:
- The scientists anesthetized the pigs and stopped their hearts from beating
- A mixture of 13 compounds helped their immune system and stopped the cells from dyingÂ
- The cocktail of drugs also suppressed blood from clottingÂ
- Then a device is used to mimic the beating of a heart
- After six hours, the team realized they were able to start cell repair on a molecular level demonstrated through spasmodic responses from the animals
- Neck jerking was one major response from the pigsÂ
Breakthrough Discoveries
After six hours, researchers began to notice that the OrganEx technology allowed oxygen to flow throughout the pigs’ bodies. At the same time, their hearts displayed some circulation and electrical activity. According to David Andrijevic, a neuroscientist from Yale University, the heart had not completely restarted, but other organs such as the liver responded more to glucose. As a result, it is believed that the animals’ metabolism had started. Additionally, genes used for cellular repair became active in all major organs. Furthermore, techniques used in this experiment could make it possible for brain activity to be restored after death. All of these accomplishments can translate to a new future for organ resuscitation and organ transplants.
Ethical Dilemma
All of the research regarding pig organ transplants and reviving organs is definitely an ethical dilemma for the medical community and society in general. Instances such as these force us to go back and reevaluate our approach to death and to what extent we can go to save lives. Additionally, it brings up concerns about how we treat animals, particularly pigs, who are often not given the same attention and care as animals such as dogs or cats. Imagine another animal other than pigs being researched for their organs. Would our reaction be different then? One of the main ethical challenges that arise from this research is the fact that brain activity could be revived after one is dead. Furthermore, it could completely change how our society views death. Traditionally, death is associated with the moment in which all organs shut down. However, now death might be considered a process in which more research needs to be conducted on cardiac death and brain death. In the future, there will be many more discussions in terms of animal rights and our perception of death.
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