Scientists eyeing pigs as organ donors

Biotechnology experts from South Korea have started to focus their studies on developing transgenic pigs, which could be used as organ, cell or tissue donors and aid research on human illnesses.

Speaking before participants of the 10th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Agricultural Cooperation Working Group (APEC-ACWG)-Research, Development and Extension on Biotechnology (RDEB) workshop at the Manila Diamond Hotel last week, Dr. Won-Kyong Chang of South Korea’s National Livestock Research Institute said that transgenic animals are produced through transgenic construction and gene transfer.

"Today, much of the therapeutic protein research focuses on genetically modified livestock and has already produced the proteins approved for human therapeutic use," Chang said.

In South Korea, he said research has focused on transgenic animals and bioreactors, or pigs used for xenotransplantation, or the process of transplanting organs from one species to another, especially from animals to humans.

These types of pigs are also used for diabetes research and production of red blood cells.

Reports said that a group of American scientists has also earlier developed an adult female hog whose milk contained a substance that seriously ill people needed. The pig produces human protein in its milk as well.

The development of transgenic animals started in 1970 when the first transgenic mouse was produced.

Dr. Libertado Cruz, of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), said that livestock biotechnology is important to meet increasing demand for food and milk. 

In the Philippines, Cruz said livestock biotechnology is focused on increasing productivity as the country has insufficient supply of beef.

"Livestock biotechnology generally aims to improve animal productivity through techniques for enhancing genetic potentials, nutritional improvement and utilization, improved animal health and welfare and enhanced reproduction," he said.

The PCC is currently working to improve carabao traits through artificial insemination, gamete sexing, sperm stem cells, super ovulation, ovum pick-up and in-vitro embryo production.

"While there is no scientific evidence on the risk of consuming products derived from cloning, there is still strong resistance on the consumption of milk or meat from cloned animals," Cruz said.

However, biotechniques directed toward the production of non-food products like special protein and chemicals for human health use have received less negative acceptability ratings, he added.

Scientists said that while livestock biotechnology looks promising in the Philippines, the development of transgenic fish in Thailand has raised concerns on its potential risks to ecology, environment and human health.

Thailand’s Dr. Wansuk Senanan said that the development of transgenic fish in his country focused on "growth enhancement and research on disease resistance and altered coloration to secretion of pharmaceutical products." — Helen Flores