The Use Of Immunotherapy And Genetic Engineering - 1198 Words

Organ transplants save thousands of lives each year and are one of the most significant medical innovations of the past century. Despite that, each year, the number of patients on the waiting list continues to grow, while the number of donors and transplants remains stagnant. One solution scientists are investigating to solve this problem is xenotransplantation, a procedure which involves the â€Å"transplantation, implantation, or infusion of live cells, tissues, or organs from a non-primate source into a primate recipient† (Samdani). This procedure has the potential to benefit thousands by providing a treatment for a wide range of debilitating diseases and aiding in the transplantation process. However, like any other surgical procedure,†¦show more content†¦Not only will xenotransplantation cure diseases, but will also serve as a source of organs and tissues for transplant. Worldwide, very few human organs are available for transplantation, which results in ailing patients waiting in vain for a suitable donor. According to UNOS, a non-profit that manages the nation’s organ transplant system, more than 118,804 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant as of January 2017 (â€Å"Data†). The increasing imbalance between the supply and demand for organs, therefore opens the door to xenotransplantation as a solution. Xenografts could serve as an unlimited supply of cells, tissues, and organs (Kleaner). Furthermore, xenotransplantation can also be used to buy time while potential transplant patients wait for a suitable donor. Dr. Michler, surgeon-in-Chief at Montefiore Medical Center, views xenotransplants as â€Å"a bridge, buying time of months until [an organ] is found† (Tanne). According to Medscape, a web resource for physicians, â€Å"most patients perceive xenotransplantation as an acceptable bridge to transplantation of human organs in life-threatening situations† (Samdani). Bridge transplants can ease the cur rent shortage of organs until researchers find a more permanent solution. It provides patients in dire situations an opportunity to keep holding on to life. Xenotransplantation has proven advantageous in numerous disciplines of medicine. Nevertheless, opponents of xenotransplantation such as the Campaign for ReasonableShow MoreRelatedHuman Genetic Engineering : Is It Good?1242 Words   |  5 PagesHuman Genetic Engineering: Is It Good? Ciabhan Moore Bellevue Big Picture Student s-moorec@bsd405.org Abstract – Human Genetic Engineering has always been an idea to enhance humans, whether that is to remove life-threatening diseases or give humans different abilities. To accomplish these tasks at hand, one needs to know the science behind what it takes to modify a human and both the positive and negative effects To know how Human Genetic Engineering works, one needs to know specific topics suchRead MoreGenetic Engineering Essay1556 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic Engineering Genetic engineering is the alteration of genetic code by artificial means, and is therefore different from traditional selective breeding. Genetic engineering (GE) is used to take genes and segments of DNA from one species, e.g. fish, and put them into another species, e.g. tomato. To do so, GE provides a set of techniques to cut DNA either randomly or at a number of specific sites. Once isolated one can study the different segments of DNA, multiplyRead MoreBenefits of Immunotherapy from Advances in Immunology and Recombinant Dna Technology3196 Words   |  13 PagesBenefits of Immunotherapy from advances in immunology and recombinant DNA technology. Immunotherapy is a form of medical treatment intended to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight infection and disease. This can be by inducing, enhancing, or suppressing an immune response. Immunotherapies designed to elicit or amplify an immune response are classified as activation immunotherapies, while those that reduce or suppress immune response are suppression immunotherapies. ActiveRead MoreEssay on Gene Therapy and Its Effect on Cancer3614 Words   |  15 Pagesforefront of this advancement is gene therapy which attempts to treat disease at its origin on the molecular level(Kreeger,1996). Essentially, this therapy deliberately introduces genes into the human cells to compensate for aberrant genes that cause genetic disease (Beese, 1996). This therapy can be administered in two ways. One is germ-line therapy which not only treats the cells of that individual but these treated cells could be passed onto the individuals offspring. This type is the focu s of muchRead MoreA Research Study On Gene Therapy2128 Words   |  9 Pages2.1. Gene Therapy Gene therapy involves the introduction of genetic material into cells in order to treat or prevent disease. Classical gene therapy has been described as â€Å"using DNA as a drug†, in which DNA carrying genes is transferred into cells by artificial means. After decades of research, this approach has now been successfully used to treat a number of conditions in humans. This section presents the historical background to the development of gene therapy. Genes as theoretical units of inheritanceRead More Biological Terrorism: Our City Streets as the New Battlefield2229 Words   |  9 Pagescapability. We feared that lesser nations might turn to now jobless Russian bioweaponeers for help in building their â€Å"great equalizer.† All this occurred with a backdrop of increasing evidence that the dual-use nature of bioweapons programs might make treaties unverifiable. Here at home, the equally dual-use biotechnological revolution screamed forward while novels imprinted the horror of bioterrorism on our minds and experts proclaimed that â€Å"there are no technical solutions.† What can we do? There isRead MoreGsk Annual Report 2010135604 Words   |  543 Pagesforward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Group’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. An investor can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘believe’ and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include