fahre001's Blog
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Pigs to help cure Diabetes
- Posted on 01.10.09
Type-1 Diabetes is caused by the destruction of patient pancreatic beta cells and loss of the regulation of blood glucose levels. Islet transplantation is able to restore glucose control, but human islets for this therapy are not readily available.
Instead, xenotransplantation using islets from pigs is a better option since they are abundant, and have been shown to work in diabetic monkeys. However, some people are afraid that viruses resident in the pig genome could jump into human cells, thus causing an unexpected disease.
We have a solution!! We have found a way to prevent viruses from jumping from pig to human cells. We propose to develop genetically improved pigs for use in xenotranspantation. Engineered pigs developed from this project will be provided to University of Minnesota clinicians as they move islet xenotransplantation to clinical trials.
We have started a campaign to raise the funds to support the creation of these pigs. Join us at "the point" to make a difference! http://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/safe-pigs-to-help-cure-diabetes
Related causes: Health
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