HD Australia

Australia set to end ban on animal transplants for humans

http://www.smh.com.au/national/australi ... -hl1c.html

MARK METHERELL HEALTH CORRESPONDENT    October 29, 2009
  
     
AUSTRALIA isexpected to lift a five-year ban on the transplantation of animal cellsand organs into humans, opening the way for research into the use ofpig cells in fighting diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Huntingdon'sdisease and strokes.
     
The National Health andMedical Research Council is believed to be ready to abandon themoratorium on transplants of animal tissue and organs - orxenotransplantation - once the ban expires on December 31.
     
Theban was implemented in 2004 because of concerns about the spread of apig virus to humans. Research overseas has since found no evidence ofinfection in patients who have received a transplant of pig tissue.
     
Pigsare the most frequent source of transplants for humans because of theirsimilar organ size, rapid reproduction, and the lower risk of theircarrying pathogens dangerous to humans.
     
Some non-living pig parts such as chemically treated pig heart valves have been routinely used in treatments for humans.
     
Thexenotransplant scientist Paul Tan, whose company has conducted researchin Russia and New Zealand into living pig insulin cells for transplantinto humans, said the ban had been regrettable for Australian medicalscience. Dr Tan, who heads Living Cell Technologies, said his companyhad internationally recognised backing to conduct human clinical trialsfor its type 1 diabetes treatment. He said he expected the ''Diabcell''treatment would be cleared for routine treatment in two to three years.
     
Thepig-sourced remedy offered a superior treatment for insulin-dependenttype 1 diabetes sufferers because it worked by self-regulating andefficiently secreting insulin, avoiding the problems patients faced incontrolling blood-glucose levels, Dr Tan said.
     
''I think we are moving into a new world of cell therapy,'' he said of the product.
     
He compared Australia's ban to the approach in New Zealand, which afternational consul- tation approved xenotrans- plantation research andalso a patient trial of the pig insulin product.
     
''Thisis not dissimilar to the ban on stem cell research which had a massiveimpact on Australian research, forced many of our leading scientistsoverseas and saw Australia lose its position as a leader in thisimportant area of medical advancement,'' Dr Tan said.