News

05/11/2008

New Zealand to allow the transplant of pig cells into humans

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The New Zealand Government has given the green light to a controversial clinical trial involving the transplantation of insulin producing pig cells into humans.

 The procedure was previously banned by both the New Zealand and Australian governments because of fear that it could potentially spread deadly pig diseases into humans. However, after a two year battle, the application by Living Cell Technologies to conduct the trial has now been approved by the New Zealand Government.

Eight New Zealand volunteers will be transplanted with the pig islet cells. The cells are to be coated with a seaweed gel and implanted into the abdomen of patients where it is hoped they will manufacture insulin and help to control the patient's blood sugar levels.

The pigs from which the islet cells are to be extracted are currently being kept in quarantine. They come from a unique herd that have been isolated on a New Zealand island for 200 years and are therefore free from retroviruses.

 Xenotransplantation is still illegal under Australian law.

  

Labels: islet, transplantation