Genetically Altering Pigs to Find Cure for Cystic Fibrosis
This is an example of how animal research can lead to tremendous alleviation of human suffering. Pigs are being genetically altered to have CF and cloned for use in research. From the story:Cystic fibrosis (CF) is triggered when a person inherits two copies of a faulty gene carried by about one in 25 of the population. The disorder causes widespread damage to internal organs, especially the lungs and gut, by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus.
Animal rights activists would say that the pigs lives are as important and valuable as all those people with cystic fibrosis, and hence, this kind of research should not be done. They are wrong.
Now a team at the University of Missouri has developed a pig which appears to closely mimic the disease. The striking similarities suggest that the pigs will help improve understanding and may also speed discovery of new treatments.
Labels: Animal Research. Genetically Altered Pigs. Cystic Fibrosis.
posted by Wesley J. Smith @ 9:45 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
Back in the early 80ies , I was involved with the Canadian Kinsmen group.
http://www.kincanada.ca/
Cystic Fibrosis was one of our pet projects and still is.
"How it all begin
From a relationship that began on a barstool in 1963, a 44-year friendship has grown into a committed partnership. Over the years, Kinsmen and Kinettes have devoted their efforts to an incredible assortment of events ranging from Daisy Days to road tolls to barbecues – all to help fight cystic fibrosis. "
In that time frame CF has seen a rise in median life span for those struck by the disease from mid teens to 35 years of age and that coincides with increased efforts through animal research. The day is coming when those afflicted with the disease will get to live a normal life.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000107.htm
"Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top
Disease registries now show that 40% of patients with cystic fibrosis are over age 18.
Today, the average life span for those who live to adulthood is approximately 35 years, a dramatic increase over the last three decades.
Death is usually caused by lung complications."
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