xenotransplantation
for those who don't know, xenotransplantaion is the transfer of animal organs to humans.
the field of organ transplantation has advanced at an astonishing pace. but the technique is extremely expensive and potentially dangerous.
saves lives
Side Score: 6
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dangerous and expensive!
Side Score: 9
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There's a hypothesis that the use of animal tissue for human use was what allowed HIV to cross the species barrier. To transplant the animal organ too, the person's immune system must also be suppressed to avoid rejection. Having the two together doesn't really make for a pretty picture. Scientists are already very close to developing synthetic organs for the medical market. Xenotransplantation just seems a poor intermediary step. Side: dangerous and expensive!
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true! recommendations suggest that anyone who receives an animal organ should never have unprotected sex and should never have children because of the public health risk. opponents of the technology also maintain that any virus that could be transmitted from an animal to a human could spread to the rest of the population easily, noting that HIV was likely a cross species transfer.In addition, animal-rights activists are outraged that animals are being tested and cloned in order to possibly alleviate human medical conditions. Side: dangerous and expensive!
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this technique is extremely expensive and potentially dangerous. viruses are integrated into animal genes, and scientists do not yet know if people can become infected with those viruses if they receive an animal organ transplant. Also the health implications for organ recipients are not fully tested, and patients receiving animal organs could have severe restrictions placed on their lifestyles. Side: dangerous and expensive!
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