Fri, Jun-15-01, 12:53
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Forum Founder
Posts: 37,243
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Plan: LC, GF
Stats: 241/186/140
BF:
Progress: 54%
Location: Eastern ON, Canada
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Quote:
Originally posted by tamarian
Opara said he was not sure how many cells will be needed for a human transplant but be believes the more than 90 million pigs that are used for food production in the United States each year should assure a steady supply.
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Until the development of bio-synthetic human insulin analogs in the mid-80s, pork insulins were the most commonly used and available -- beef insulins were less stable, and less beneficial for humans. Porcine tissue is very close to human, and widely used ... skin grafts for burn victims, and heart valve-replacements spring to mind.
This holds real promise ... what a breakthrough!
Doreen |