People with Diabetes Consider Xenotransplantation (barf alert)

Scoop Independent News ^ | May 7, 2005 | New Zealand Bioethis Council

[Investment Biker]

If xenotransplantation - animal-to-human transplantation - were to offer a person with Type one diabetes a life without insulin dependency - would that make it OK?

This is a proposition people with diabetes are being encouraged to consider by Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council and Martin Wilkinson, chair of the Council's xenotransplantation working group, who is a key-note speaker at this weekend's annual Diabetes New Zealand Conference.

"People with Diabetes will understand, perhaps better than anyone, the pros and cons of xenotransplantation because it has the potential to affect them personally. There are in fact several xenotransplantation procedures but one involves the insertion of cells, like pig pancreatic islet cells, into humans. This has the potential to treat Type one and severe Type two diabetes.

"A key question is, if xenotransplantation can relieve significant suffering or even save lives, does this outweigh the potential hazards, such as transferring diseases from animals to humans and onto other humans? "If xenotransplantation were simply a risky trial treatment, it might be that individual consent would be enough to justify the risk. But the risk of xenotransplantation to public health cannot be justified merely on the grounds of individual consent. If this were the case we would have a set of techniques that potentially helps a large number of badly-off people but potentially threatens the health of a very large number. "The risk of disease spreading might be reduced by forcing xenograft recipients to submit to lifelong monitoring and treatment, breaching confidentiality, preventing their reproducing, and compulsorily quarantining them. These measures appear to infringe on rights, so the ethical question is: would this be justified?" says Wilkinson. Alternative uses of xenotransplantation include using brain cells to treat Parkinson's disease (which is currently untreatable) and inserting whole organs like pancreas, kidneys and hearts. It is also possible to undertake therapies outside the body, such as sending the blood of a person with acute liver failure through a type of dialysis machine and back. Growing human cells on layers of animal cells is also an option for treatment of such conditions such as motor neurone disease. All of these are at an experimental stage - some much further along than others.

Xenotransplantation is effectively blocked in New Zealand at the moment, largely for reasons of public safety. Australia has recently blocked xenotransplantation research for at least five years. Canada has also blocked it. The US and the UK permit it, although the UK has a very high barrier. China and Mexico are doing xenotransplantation on a relatively large scale.

"Concerns about xenotransplantation do not stop with public health risks. There are cultural considerations about animal cells introduced into humans, particularly live cells. Does this affect our essential humanness? Is it part of a desperate grab for immortality that humans cannot possibly achieve?" says Wilkinson. The Bioethics Council is encouraging public discussion around the cultural, ethical and spiritual dimensions of xenotransplantation and is looking at the individual and community points of view. It will provide independent advice to Government on its findings. The deadline of 20 May for the online forum and submissions process is fast approaching and the Council will then enter the final stage of assessing the feedback.

Results will contribute towards a report on the cultural, ethical, and spiritual aspect of xenotransplantation in September.

For further information about diabetes see www.diabetes.org.nz and www.bioethics.org.nz

ENDS

To stimulate discussions and inform people of the issues around xenotransplantation before the dialogue process, the Council launched a discussion document in February entitled "The Cultural, Spiritual and Ethical Aspects of Xenotransplantation: Animal-to-Human Transplantation" - it can be found at www.bioethics.org.nz .

Public are also invited to become involved in one or more of the following activities which will be taking place between March and 20 May 2005:

* Visit www.bioethics.org.nz for background info and links to more detailed background research

* Join the online discussion forum, to register, log on to www.bioethics.org.nz/dialogue/forum/

* Make a submission by mail, email or online. There is a submission form on our website, or just send a letter or email.

* Get together with whanau, friends or workmates and have a discussion. We want people thinking and talking about these topics, even if you do not end up writing anything down. Our website has links to ideas on running dialogue groups.

[struggle]

>>>I've had the sugar for 12 years so far...so good...so what! (sorry, Megadeth fan). I've had a pump for about 7 (has it been so long...where has my life gone, LOL), and am quite a fan of it. I received word that one will soon be available that is constantly monitoring blood sugar levels and adjusting the basal rate of insulin in order to compensate. I have my fingers crossed that the pump will include glucagon so that I don't have to carry 4 rolls of Lifesavers with me everywhere (yes, I really do use lifesavers--for the poetic irony, and the taste!).

Man that's unreal. Pardon the crappy remark, but I went diabetic at a good time. I still am on the Novapen, myself. I'm always lower than or near 7 on my Ghb. My eyes go a little nearsighted after a few hours of high blood sugar so I know to excersize or shoot up a little more right away.

[r9etb]

Sounds exciting. My son was diagnosed about a month ago, and we're still getting settled into this whole thing. It sounds like a lot of stuff is changing pretty fast -- I'm willing to wait and see for a while, to see what shakes out....

[struggle]

Yeah, the only real important thing is daily testing (I test my blood twice a day) and daily excersize. Exersize opens up the receptors for insulin so it is used more efficiently. It also keeps you from shooting up a lot. I run 2 miles a day after dinner and it kills all my carbs instantly.

[Cyclopean Squid]

Oh, it's not so bad. "My blood sugar is low" has gotten me out of so much trouble it's almost been worth it. Anytime in school if I went out of line I would blame hypoglycemia, and ditto at one of my summer jobs if I wanted to get out of a tedious project. I have to say that, from a certain point of view, I got diabetes at the perfect time too (I was diagnosed when I was 12).

Since I got the pump I've been in great control too (similar to where you are), and I can always "feel" it if my sugar is too high or low.

[struggle]

>I can always "feel" it if my sugar is too high or low.

When sugar is too low, who can't feel it!

[Senator Pardek]

Xenotransplantation

A band YOU should form.

[Investment Biker]

Exercise also drains the liver of glycogen. And it depletes the muscle cells of sugar. I test 6 times a day and if I wake in the middle of the night to urinate I test again.

[c-b 1]

Thanks for the information.

I have been taking insulin for about 18 years, about 10 years ago I started taking Sugar Eze along with it, which really helped to stabilize my sugar level. Every dr. I have been to has been an idiot, they didn't understand what I was doing, and didn't want to. When my blood tests came back, they got a blank look on their face, and said "I don't know what you are doing, just keep doing it."

My Wife's Arthuritus Dr. (prolotherapist) knew all about it when I brought it up to him. He knew the components, in Sugar Eze, and explained why it works.

[Investment Biker]

I would also take a look at using high dose benfotiamine (300mg or more). It, along with Alpha Lipoic Acid has very important protective functions.

[c-b 1]

When sugar is too low, who can't feel it! I can feel it, when I started taking insulin I would feel it about 75, now I don't feel it until my sugar level is below 60.

[Cyclopean Squid]

...they got a blank look on their face, and said "I don't know what you are doing, just keep doing it."

I hear you. That's exactly how every appointment I've ever had went. "You know what you're doing, stick with it." I view the doctors as little more than the rubber stamp for my prescriptions. And that works, because they recognize that's what they are. I appreciate that they're always there if I need help, but otherwise they are content to let me manage the details.

[Polybius]

Haven't we been using pig heart valve transplants for a few decades?

Yep..........and don't even ask where Premarin comes from.

[Axenolith]

The reason it sounds stupid is probably because it's written by an idiot PETA type who wants to broach that subject without sounding like a "don't exploit the poor, innocent, equal to humans, animals". I'm willing to bet that a little digging will demonstrate that too. Any FR-sleuths got some spare time? ;-)

[BlazingArizona]

Xenotransplantation is effectively blocked in New Zealand at the moment, largely for reasons of public safety. Australia has recently blocked xenotransplantation research for at least five years. Canada has also blocked it. The US and the UK permit it, although the UK has a very high barrier. China and Mexico are doing xenotransplantation on a relatively large scale.

...which means that if I come down with a disease for which xenotransplants are a treatment, I'll be on the first plane to Shanghai. Let the meek die the "natural" death they feel is God's will. This will leave the way clear for those who wish to inherit the earth.

[tophat9000]

Using animal-to-human transplantation no more affect our essential humanness then using plastic or medal human implants makes you a cyborg

[Marie]

One word: Encapsulation

[Marie]

We can't get a friggin' continuous glucose monitor approved by the FDA. (ie: Navigator.) They'll never approve this. Even though it will save countless lives.

[Marie]

My son has a pump. He only uses short-acting insulin. (Novolog) It gives a consistent "background" level of .5 units an hour, then we program it for his meals. Meal time is this: He serves his food, he tests, he programs the pump with his current BG and for the carbs he's about to eat, then the pump tells us how much insulin to give him for that meal.The wonderful thing is that we can program that background level to anything he needs it to be. (He drops down to .4 at night.)

[Investment Biker]

I'll be on the first plane to Shanghai

Xenotourism is already occurring and this is one reason to ask why in a developed country they would regulate it. Wouldn't that country want to have their citizens protected by doing this in their home country. Stupid is as stupid does!

[Investment Biker]

Hi Marie-

I am convinced that the Navigator is coming soon. The standards were set so low by the glucowatch that they will have little to no choice but to approve the Navigator. Look for approval sometime latter this year or early next. Just my guess.