Monday 27th February 2012 Monica Santa 9.2

e Use of Xenotransplantation in Medicine

A signi!cant percentage of the deaths in the US are caused by chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular

disease, diabetes, cancer and liver disease (Wilcox). Many of these individuals would potentially bene!t from an

organ transplant but unfortunately the demand for organs greatly outnumbers the organs available. In the US

alone, over 100,000 people are in need of organ transplants and every 10 minutes, a new name is added to the list

(“Donation Statistics”). In an effort to meet the demand for organs for transplantation, many different avenues

are being explored. ese include the development of arti!cial organs, tissue engineering and one of the most

controversial: xenotransplantation.

Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another

(“Xenotransplantation²”). It is an unconventional but possible solution for the lack of organ donors as well as

treatment for incurable diseases like Parkinson’s and diabetes. Currently, there has been several success stories

such as transplantation of porcine heart valves (“Organ Transplantation”) and porcine pancreatic islet cells (“Islet

Cell Transplantation”), however, research into xenotransplantation is still highly experimental and hotly debated.

Xenotransplantation works by inserting human genes into that of a female pig. Although primates have

been considered to be suitable candidates, most research in xenotransplantation focus on pigs as they breed and

grow quickly, are cheaper, easier to maintain and have a similar physiology to humans ("What Animals Would Be

Used in Xenotransplants?"). e pig is then given increased

amounts of hormones to cause her to hyper-ovulate which

results in her producing more eggs than usual. Once she mates

with a male of her species, the female pig’s fallopian tubes are

cut open and the fertilized eggs are suctioned out. ese eggs

are then examined closely under a microscope and injected with

a solution containing human DNA. Not all the eggs will inherit

the genes but the ones that do are implanted in the uterus of a

female pig. It is important that the egg receives the human gene

as it will reduce the risk of rejection. Once the transgenic pig is

fully grown, the needed organs or tissue will be surgically removed

A transgenic baby pig (“Transplant Rejection Treatment”)

Good introduction to the problem

1500 words. Excellent detail in your essay but try to stick to the word limit.

Good statement of the solution

Good - try to use a research question as a title next time

and the pig put down (“How Xenotransplantation Works”).

e main bene!t of xenotransplantation is its potential to provide an unlimited supply of organs for

those who need it. It is a social bene!t because by genetically

engineering animals for organ transplants, the waiting list would

signi!cantly be reduced and less patients would die while waiting for

human organs. Xenotransplantation could even be used as a “bridge”

implant so if a patient is in a life-threatening position, a

xenotransplant could be performed for temporary use until a human

organ becomes available (“Xenotransplantation Research Paper”). In

essence, xenotransplantation would allow people to ful!ll their

ambitions or spend more time with their loved ones.

Xenotransplants also offers an additional advantage over

allotransplantations (human-to-human transplants). With human

organs, little can be done before the donor is declared brain dead. is

means until the donor is officially dead, his organs cannot be obtained. After brain death, organs are procured in

an emergency manner and are immediately transported to the medical center performing the transplant.

Especially if the donor has died in an accident, the process of getting the organ ready for surgery is very rushed.

Additionally, the transplant organ may come from a suboptimal donor with advanced age or has chronic medical

conditions (Beschorner). ere is no time for analysis and preparation as the window for the organ to be

transplanted is very short.

In contrast to that, a donor pig is raised under controlled conditions, speci!cally for use as an organ

donor. Potential pathogens can be eliminated from the herd and the donor pig is examined regularly and carefully

by professionals. Organs are obtained from young, healthy donors and transplants are performed on a scheduled

basis. Basically, xenotransplantation offers the tremendous advantage of donor organ modi!cation to render the

xenografts more “compatible” with human recipients pre-surgery (“Transplant Rejection Treatment”). is is a

huge social bene!t because patients will no longer have to wait for organs or be given subpar ones. e organs they

receive will be healthier and genetically tailored to their needs. e surgeons can also be well-prepared to complete

the surgery without error. is is both an ethical and social bene!t because if xenotransplantation does become a

reality, it will require the well-being and ethical treatment of pigs. ey will have to be raised in good, clean

Doctors must rush into surgery once potential human donor organs are acquired

(“Emergency Room”)

Good discussion of benefis

Good

conditions to make suitable donors. ese pigs will then

continue to bene!t society by providing us with healthy

organs to save a person’s life.

Another social bene!t is that diabetes, a disease

characterized by the lack of insulin production in the body,

can also be treated by xenotransplantation. e process

would involve the transplantation of pancreatic islets⎯the

dead islets can be replaced by living islets from pigs⎯and

over time, the body’s insulin levels will be restored (Grey). is is a social bene!t because the surgery could change

the lives of many diabetics who are emotionally and physically affected by the disease. ese people could live

normal lives, without the social stigmas that is often associated with their condition. Xenotransplants can even

treat diseases such as Huntington's Disease and Parkinson's Disease and even diminish the effects of strokes by

transplanting porcine neuron cells into the brain (Hou).

Just as there are bene!ts, there are limitations as well. A social limitation of xenotransplantation is the

risk of rejection. Within hours after the operation, the body might use its own immune system to attack the

foreign organ (Legal & Ethical Issues). e problem exists even for human to human transplants, but is more

serious for transplants between different species. It is also possible that the pigs may transfer diseases and viruses

that could infect the public. is affects society because if the virus is not contained, an epidemic could spread

worldwide and harm thousands of innocent lives (Chapman).

A !nancial limitation of xenotransplantation is its cost. Approximately $47 million dollars are spent on

organ transplants each year and this is only for human-to-human transplants. In the US alone, the cost of a kidney

transplant is around $50,000 (Schaffer). is excludes the additional $6,000 for anti-rejection medication, post-

surgery check ups and other medical fees. Although the cost of xenotransplants are yet to be calculated, it is likely

that they will cost more than regular transplants because of the additional costs of breeding, feeding, housing,

euthanizing and eventual disposal of the animals (“Cost of Xenotransplants”).

is also brings us to an ethical disadvantage of xenotransplantation. Depending on the technique or

process used to create transgenic pigs (i.e. cloning or inserting a gene into a sow), the number of piglets born with

the human gene may be quite low. is will result in surplus piglets that are not useful as donors for

xenotransplants. ese animals will be euthanized and cannot be released into the environment nor introduced

Insulin-producing piglets (Macrae)

Good

Good

Good

Good discussion of limitations

into the food chain because they have been genetically modi!ed (“Ethical and Social Issues Raised By

Xenotransplantation”).

Because of this, many people disagree with xenotransplantation because they believe it is cruel and

unethical to raise pigs for eventual slaughter. Even with pigs currently be farmed for food, animal rights activists

believe that pigs should be raised to be free, not tested on or served as a spare parts factory to humans

(“Xenotransplantion¹”).

ere are also cultural and spiritual limitations as some people believe that xenotransplantation is an

unacceptable violation of the integrity of the human body and would be interfering with the creations of God

(“Religion & Xenotransplantaion”).

In conclusion, xenotransplantation has its ups and downs. e main bene!t is its potential to supply the

world with unlimited organs and thus save the lives of many people who are on the transplant list. A social bene!t

is its potential to cure incurable diseases like Parkinson’s and diabetes. By providing solutions for these problems,

xenotransplantation is already taking a major step in eradicating many medical issues our world currently faces.

However, one of the biggest limitations that has prevented xenotransplantation from continuing is the

risk of rejection. e point of xenotransplantation is to provide organs but the entire point would be missed if the

problem of rejection is ignored. Also, the price of the transplant would be very high and this would raise health

costs. ere are also cultural barriers that believe the transplanting of animal organs to humans is ethically wrong

and interferes with nature.

Like so many advances in the world of medicine, if successful, xenotransplantation has the potential to

save and extend countless of lives. However there are many risks involved and there are questions on whether or

not medicine is prepared to make such potentialities a reality. Until today, xenotransplantation is still an

extremely experimental process but I believe that with time and research, xenotransplantation may very well be a

viable option to provide life-saving organs to those who need it.

Works Cited

Beschorner, William Edward. "Xenotransplantation in Pediatics." Medscape. 14 Jan. 2010. Web. 26 Feb.

2012. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1014080-overview>.

Excellent detail

Good conclusion summarising the key points and then looking towards the future

Chapman, Paul. "New Zealand to Transplant Pig Cells into Humans Against Diabetes." Diabetes.org. 21

Oct. 2008. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.diabetes.org.nz/news/nz_news/

new_zealand_to_transplant_pig_cells_into_humans_against_diabetes>.

"Cost of Xenotransplants." Xenotransplantation. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://xenotrans.tripod.com/

id14.html>.

Cozzi, Emmanuel, Erica Bosia, Michela Seveso, Domenico Rubello, and Ermmano Ancona.

"Xenotransplantion as a Model of Integrated Multidisciplinary Research." Organogenesis. PubMed Central, Feb.

2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2659370/>.

"Donation Statistics." Donate Life. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.donatelife.net/understanding-

donation/statistics/>.

"Emergency Department." UCLA Health. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.uclahealth.org/body_med.cfm?

id=1064>.

"Ethical and Social Issues Raised by Xenotransplantation." Canadian Public Health Association. Web. 26

Feb. 2012. <http://www.cpha.ca/en/activities/xeno/ethics-1.aspx>.

Grey, Shane T. "Genetic Engineering & Xenotransplantation." Action Bioscience. May 2000. Web. 26 Feb.

2012. <http://www.actionbioscience.org/biotech/grey.html>.

Hou, Larry, Irene Klein, Billy Lau, Vanessa Rothholtz, and Yvette Wild. "Neural Xenotransplantation and

Parkinson's Disease." Division of Biology and Medicine. Brown University, May 1999. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_1999_Groups/Neurotransplant_Team/Neurotransplant.html>.

"How Xenotransplantation Works." Xenotransplantation. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

xenotrans.tripod.com/id1.html>.

"Legal & Ethical Issues." Xenome Project. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.xenome.eu/

literature_background_information.aspx>.

“Islet Cell Transplantation.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islet_Cell_Transplantation>.

Macrae, Fiona, and Claire Bates. "Experimental Diabetes Treatment Will Inject Humans With Pig Cells."

Daily Mail. 24 July 2009. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1201672/

Experimental-diabetes-treatment-inject-humans-pig-cells.html>.

“Organ Transplantation.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_Transplantation>.

"Religion & Xenotransplantation." Canadian Public Health Association. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

www.cpha.ca/en/activities/xeno/religion.aspx>.

Schaffer, Michael. "How Much Does a Kidney Transplant Cost?" Kidney in the News. 20 Dec. 2007. Web.

26 Feb. 2012. <http://kidneyinthenews.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/how-much-does-a-kidney-transplant-cost/>.

"Transplant Rejection Treatment." Division of Biology and Medicine. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2004_Groups/Group04/Xenotransplantation.htm>.

"What Animals Would Be Used in Xenotransplants?" Xenome Project. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

www.xenome.eu/faq.aspx?pregunta=6>.

Wilcox, Sara. "Xenotransplantation: e Good, e Bad and e Ugly." 1.01 (2003). University of British

Columbia, Apr. 2003. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/Journal/

V01I01/4952xenotransplant.pdf>.

"Xenotransplantation¹." Uncaged. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://www.uncaged.co.uk/xeno.htm>.

"Xenotransplantation²." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/Xenotransplantation>.

"Xenotransplantation Research Paper." Effective Papers. 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://

effectivepapers.blogspot.com/2010/11/xenotransplantation-research-paper.html>.

Criterion A: One World

Student’s Opinion

Teacher’s Decision MYP Descriptor Student Self-Assessment

0●e student does not reach a standard

described by any of the descriptors given below.

● My work does not match requirements below.

1–2

●e student states* how science is applied to addressing a speci!c local or global issue. ●e student states* the effectiveness

of science and its application in solving the problem or issue.

*State means I give a speci!c name or other brief answer without explanation.

○ I clearly name the issue that science is used to address

○ I name the science that is used for the issue

○ I list the bene!ts and limitations with this use of science to solve the issue.

3–4

●e student describes** how science is applied and how it may be used to address a speci!c problem or issue in a local or global context. ●e student describes** the

effectiveness of science and its application in solving the problem or issue.●e student describes** the

implications of the use and application of science interacting with at least one of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.

**Describe means I give a detailed account

○ I point out details of the issue that science is used to address

○ I detail how science is used for the issue

○ I detail the bene!ts and limitations with this use of science to solve the issue.

○ While discussing the bene!ts and limitations, I describe in detail how the use of science interacts with at least two factors from: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.

5–6 6

●e student explains+ how science is applied and how it may be used to address a speci!c problem or issue in a local or global context. ●e student discusses++ the

effectiveness of science and its application in solving the problem or issue.●e student discusses++ and

evaluates the implications of the use and applications of science interacting with at least two of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.

+ Explain means I give a clear account of what the problem is that science is solving and how the science works to bring a solution to the problem, including causes and reasons or mechanisms++ Discuss means I give an account including where possible, a range of arguments for and against the relative importance of various factors and comparisons of alternative hypothesesEvaluate means I assess (rate the importance of) the implications and limitations.

○ I explain how science is used to address a speci!c problem or issue

○ I discuss and evaluate the bene!ts and limitations of this use of science.

○ I describe in detail how the use of science interacts with at least two factors from: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental.

Criterion B: Communication in Science

Student’s Opinion

Teacher’s Decision SWA MYP Descriptor Student Self-Assessment

0●e student does not reach a

standard described by any of the descriptors given below.

● My work does not match requirements below.

1–2

●e student uses a limited range of scienti!c language correctly. ●e student communicates

scienti!c information with limited effectiveness ● When appropriate to the

task, the student makes little attempt to document sources of information.

● I used some scienti!c language.● For most sections of the lab report I followed most

of the requirements listed on the sheet called ‘How to Write a Science Essay’.

● I give some info for some of my sources.

3–4

●e student uses some scienti!c language correctly. ●e student communicates

scienti!c information with some effectiveness. ● When appropriate to the

task, the student partially documents sources of information.

● I used only scienti!c language.● For each section of the lab report I followed most

of the requirements listed on the sheet called ‘How to Write a Science Essay’.

● Source information is missing, incorrect, or not well organized making it hard for the reader to trace my sources.

5–6 6

●e student uses sufficient scienti!c language correctly.●e student communicates

scienti!c information effectively.● When appropriate to the

task the student fully documents the sources of information correctly.

● I used clear, concise scienti!c language.● My essay has an introductory paragraph, a

paragraph to describe the application of science, and paragraphs to describe the bene!ts and limitations of the application of science and its interaction with the ‘One World’ factors.

● Appropriate visuals and/or symbols are included to make the communication effective.

● I correctly cite my sources of information using parentheses ( ) within the text and with a Works Cited list.

Re#ection – Why I got what I got on my assignment!

Fill in this table after your assignment has been graded and returned.

I did read the criteria assessment sheet before I handed in my work YESMy score for criterion A was 6 out of a possible 6

Two things I did well were:

1. I described of the use and application of science interacting with at least one of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural and environmental in great detail.

2. I explained how the science is applied and how it may be used to address a speci!c problem or issue in a local or global context.

I will make following two improvements for next time:

1. Keep the audience in my (grade 9s).

2. Keep up my grade!

My score for criterion B was 6 out of a possible 6

Two things I did well were:

1. I used pictures and diagrams.

2. I cited all my sources correctly.

I will make following two improvements for next time:

1. I need to make a research question for my title next time.

2. Stay under the word limit.

Parent acknowledgment:

Considerable time has been spent by student and teacher on this task with the goal of student improvement. Kindly glance through the comments on the task to gain an understanding of your child’s progress with the skills we are developing.

To help me convince your child of the importance of learning from our mistakes and successes, please encourage your child to give thoughtful comments above that show they have read the advice I have written on their work.

Please contact me with comments or concerns about this assignment (Elizabeth_Renshaw@swa-jkt.com)

Name of person at home who as seen this work: Geiby (Mom)