Genetically Modified Organisms can be defined as any organism whose genetic compositions have been altered through the application of genetic engineering techniques. The development of Genetically Modified Organisms has been faced with a lot of mixed reasons with people having different views regarding the most appropriate mechanism to be used. For that matter, there are some places where the use of the genetically modified organisms are authorized while in some countries, the use of these product is completely illegalized. Based on the findings from the study conducted Mohiuddin et al. (1108), it was determined that the increased public perception regarding the negative effects of the genetically modified organisms has been the main factor that has prevented the full implementation of their usage in different parts of the world. On the other hand, there are some scholars and human right activists who believe that such products can lead to significant health problems when consumed by human beings. Due to the occurrence of these mixed reactions, it is always difficult for those who do not have prior knowledge about the genetically modified organisms to decide on which side to support or oppose. There are different types of genetically modified organisms and hence providing a generalized definition for this term be controversial and confusing at times. One of the major types of genetically modified organism that is specifically defined is the transgenic organisms. The human organ transplantation is one of the major sectors in the field of medicine that is currently faced with a lot of significant challenges. Based on the fact that the procedure has been linked with a lot of success in the field of science, the available needs for this procedure has so far outweighed the number of the available donor organs. For that matter, scientists so the need of coming up with significant techniques that can be used to help in meeting the increasing demands for transplantation. This is where most of the medical institutions saw that the use of the genetic engineering techniques could enhance the development of more organs for transplant process. According to Cooper et al. (289), transgenic organisms are those organisms whose genetic makeups have been altered through the addition of another genetic material from the unrelated organism. This is another area where there are a lot of controversies, more so when these animals are used in the medical settings as a transplant material. This paper will discuss beneficial effects related to the use of genetically modified organs from pigs for transplant into humans as opposed to the possible controversies, issues and ethical considerations.
Xenotransplantation has have a great impact in the quality of care services given to those patients who are in need of the transplants, more so when there is acute shortage of these organs. Cooper et al. (288) defined xenotransplantation as the process of transplanting, tissues, organs or cells from one species to the other. With reference to the research study conducted by Cooper et al. (250), it was established that the application of organs and tissues from the other animals such as pigs has helped in improving the quality of care delivery as well as reducing the number of mortality cases which might have arose due to the shortage of these organs. Based on the information from the research study conducted by Mohiuddin et al. (1112), it was established that there are many pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies which are currently investigating the possible application of the genetically modified organs from the pigs during the transplantation process in the human beings as a mechanism of ending the issues related to the acute shortage of the tissue organs. The medical team in the 21st century are currently in the crossroad, they do not know whether to use these organs to save lives of those patients who need them for their survival or follow the religious and ethical consideration viewpoint to avoid their application. Nevertheless, many people have realized that the process has enhanced the development of a lot of advantages as compared to the presumed disadvantages. One of the major disadvantage that more of those who criticize the application of the genetically modified organs from the pigs during transplantation in human beings is the possible occurrence of additional infections apart from that which was to be diagnosed. Nevertheless, this assumption can kicked out of the box if the results from the research study conducted by Estrada et al. (196) to determine the level of efficiency of the genetically modified organs from pigs on human beings hold water. This study included the application of 165 participants who received tissue transplants from the genetically modified pigs. The results indicated that there was no single of them who developed any form of health complication when the follow-up process for the patients was performed. This was a clear indication that the process was a total success and that the possibility of the occurrence health effects as stated by many critics around the globe are just fake and irresponsible. Such arguments do not have scientific background but rather based on personal beliefs. Furthermore, the same study indicated that a number of the patients did not show the occurrence of the circulating pig cells, but no evidence of medical complication or infections recorded. This was a possible indication that the pig tissues can survive for a very long time within the body of human beings without causing any side effects to the patients. Despite that fact that these organs from the genetically modified pigs might be the possible carrier of porcine viruses, the research study conducted by Cooper et al. (293) determined that there are not possible medical complications which have been registered on the human beings as result of the porcine viruses. For that matter, these organs might be very safe for the transplantation process on human beings. Nevertheless, Cooper et al. (399) indicated that there are a team of researchers who are proceeding with caution during their study for the purpose of addressing the possible safety concerns that might arise form the whole process. Most importantly, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services is trying to come up with several important approached that can be used in the fostering of the participation by the public, scientists as well as industry in the program of xenotransplantation. Before coming up with any concluding remark regarding the possible side effects that the process might have of the human beings, Mohiuddin et al. (1109) stated that it important for the human beings, more so those who are against its application, to consider how the human life might have been without the scientific innovations. This is just one of them. For that matter, BIO supporters dialogue regarding the applicability of the xenotransplantation using the organs from the genetically modified pigs to further discuss and understand the broaden knowledge which will be used for offering the innovative treatments for the previously untreated conditions. For that matter, it is important to note that BIO has a great commitment in the development of responsible research programs which will be consistent with the regulatory guidelines and the recommendations of the ethics advisory board. One of the area which most of those of oppose the use of genetically modified organs from pigs have based their argument on is the high possibility of the rejection of the organs leading to significant effects on the recipient of the organs. This should be a big issue any more. Based on the findings from the research study conducted by Cooper et al. (253), it was established that those pigs which are transgenic for human complement the regulatory genes and gal-knockout pigs hence an indication of a more significant advance in relation to the xenotransplantation. Based on this development, the issues related to the possible tissue rejection are completely eliminated and also the survival rate of the grafts has been significantly prolonged. Furthermore, Estrada et al. (197) indicated that there are current arrangement to combine two technologies from the laboratories situated in USA and Australia for the purpose of developing gal-knockout transgenic pigs for the h-DAF and the human gene encoding for an inhibitor of coagulation. This will hopefully lead to complete alleviating of the thrombotic microangiopathy. Another possible advantage of the application GM organs from the pigs during transplantation process can be related to the reduced cost of medical attention based on the fact that there will large volumes of transplant organs and tissues produced. With relation to the findings from the research study conducted by Cooper et al. (415), it was established that one of the main factor that facilitate the occurrence of high cost of health care is the adverse shortage of the medical resources. Based on the fact that pigs’ organs closely resemble the human organs in terms of their sizes and metabolism, they can be easily used in the place of human organs without causing any adverse effects on the recipient as long as all of the available precautions for the procedure are taken into account. According to the information from the research study conducted by Estrada et al. (199), it was indicated that the process of obtaining organs from pigs for transplant has significant benefits than the disadvantages. This is based on the fact that a study involving the transplant of a pig heart into the baboon made the baboon to survive for three years. This is a great success since it is like adding an individual a bonus life to live. Due to the need of increasing the volumes of transplant tissues and organs, the researchers from more than ten institutes based in China were able to conduct human clinical trial using the organs obtained from the GM pigs after receiving permission from the National government of China. It is important to note that China is among the notable countries which have seen the potentials in the GM products and that it why it is currently the leading producer of the cloned pigs hence leading to the development of a piggy organ bank. The application of GM organs from the pigs as transplant materials have a lot of advantages and any disadvantage that might arise from this process can be effectively addressed through the use of the continuously advancing technology in the field of medicine.
Even though the application of the genetically modified organs from pigs can act as remedy for the inadequate organs and tissues for transplant from the human beings, it is important to note that the process can lead to different forms of health conditions as well as lead to the development of various forms of ethical considerations. With reference to the research study conducted by Cooper et al. (257), it was established that one of the main issues that arise from the use of genetically modified organs for the transplantation process is the increasing occurrence of tissue or organ rejection. As a result of the genetic differences between the human beings and the pigs, the transplantation of the xenogeny organs and tissues can lead to the triggering of genetic responses in the human body hence causing a complete failure of the transplanted organ. The number of the organs to be used for the transplantation process might be increasing but their effectiveness might be a very serious problem. With reference to the results from the study conducted by Cooper et al. (410), it was established that three in every twenty transplant that was done using the genetically modified organs from the pig completely failed due to the occurrence of excessive cases of tissue or organ rejection. There have not been entirely successful trials for the xenotransplantation that incorporated the use of human beings are the samples for the research. This is based on the fact that there are a lot of obstacles which arise from the responses caused by the immune system of the human beings who are set to receive the organs. The process is therefore linked to low level of accuracy and viability. According to Cooper et al. (261), during the cloning process of Dolly sheep, there were more than 270 eggs which were used and only one was able to reach maturity. This leads to the development of potential concerns how viable or the duration that will be taken by those who received this type of transplantation process before they are pronounced dead. Xenotransplantation through the application of the organs from the genetically modified pig is even complicating things. This is based on the fact that there are a lot of issues which are believed to have developed through the continuous use of the genetically modified products, then again the process involves the use of animals, leading to the violation of animal rights. According to the information from the article written by Estrada et al. (200), it was indicated that the use of these organs is a double problem, one due to the fact that they are genetically modified and the second one is based on the fact that these products will be obtained from the animals leading to the harming of the innocent creatures. Furthermore, there are some religious outfits such as the Muslims who do not use the products obtained from the pigs, therefore even if the process is a success, it will not benefit everyone who is in need of these products due to the occurrence of their religious attachment to the animal. In regards to the fact that there are high possibilities of the cost of medical care for those who will be seeking the transplantation services, it is important to note that the cost may only reduce if the process become successful, but at the moment, there are still some issues which need to be addressed. Another potential side effect that can be developed due to the use of genetically modified organs from pigs during the transplantation process in humans is the occurrence of xenozoonosis. This is based on the fact that different organisms have different genetic compositions that can offer resistance to specific types of virus. For that matter, there are some specific types of viruses which are found within the body composition of the pigs and do not cause any harm on them. But if these viruses are transferred into the body of another organism, they night lead to the development of significant medical side effects. Despite that the that the development of animal to human infections is often very rare, it is important to note that there are specific cases where this had already taken place and therefore a lot of cautions need to be taken in order to prevent the recurrence of such medical issues in the human growth cycle. A good example of xenosis was when the influenza A was transmitted from the birds to the humans beings leading to the development of avian influenza infection. Cooper et al. (405) stated that some of the major reasons why the use of these GM organs from the pigs during the transplantation might lead to the development of different forms of infections instead of treating those which are intended can be based on three factors. One, the implantation facilitate the breaching of the physical barriers which are often involved in the prevention of disease transmission. Secondly, there are higher that the recipient of these organs will be highly immunosuppressed. Lastly, the human complement regulators such as the CD46 and CD55 that are expressed in the transgenic pigs can lead to the development of severe virus receptors and may also act as a protective mechanism that helps the viruses from being attacked by the complement system of the human immunity. Every scientific research and development is governed by ethics (Cooper et al. 291). For that matter, it is always important to implement only those research studies which are ethically correct. Despite the fact that there is a great variation when it comes to ethical consideration due to the different reasoning among various individuals, it is important to note that any issue related to the application of animals is considered as a complete violation of the rights of the animals. Just like it is unethical to clone animals or produce genetically modified animals, it is also unethical to harvest the organs from the animals even if they were genetically modified for the purpose of human use. An interesting issue can be based on the idea that there is no human being who can agree to allow their organs be used for treatment of the animals and therefore the vice versa should not be tolerated. All these have been determined to be mare allegations due to the fact that there might be other potential positive effects related to the use of genetically modified organs obtained from the pigs. There are many instances where the applicability of any product which is genetically modified are completely rejected by a section of the public. Even though there might be significant effects such as development of health complications and increased rates of viral transmission, the process can be very significant in making sure that those individuals who have problems with obtaining transplants organs are saved from the stress (Mohiuddin et al. 1113). Most importantly, if there can be development of large volumes of transplant organs through the use of genetic modification or engineering, the cases where the human beings are forced to donate their organs for their loved ones will be significantly reduced. Furthermore, there are some countries where the donation of human organs is illegal hence when there can be other mechanism than the actual donation, the better it will be for those who are in need of those organs. Depending on how the organs were handled during their production, there are higher chances that they might be free from different types of infections. This is because the pigs will be genetically modified hence allowing for the elimination of those genes which might facilitate the occurrence of infectious diseases once the organ is transplanted into humans.
Conclusion
The use of genetically modified organs obtained from the pigs for facilitating the transplant in humans have been faced with a lot of conflicting views. There are some people who believe that these organs should be produced in large numbers while there are some who are of the opinion that this technique can lead to the development of different types of medical complications such as viral infections. Based on the potential medical and health advantages which are associated with the proposed use of the genetically modified organs obtained from the pigs. For that matter, the use of these organs should be effectively encouraged. In order to ensure that the use of genetically modified organs from the pigs in the transplantation, there is need of increasing the level of public awareness regarding this scientific development. Due to the existence of low percentage of the general public who are aware of the truth about genetically modified organs. Despite the fact that this process might be having a lot of advantages of the human life, there are also some potential negative effects, with the most important one being the ethical dimension of the whole process. For that matter, it will be important for the bodies involved with the development and usage of these organs ensuring that all of the ethical provisions are adhered to accordingly. The use of the genetically modified transplant organs from pigs can be linked to the general use of the genetically modified products. This is based on the fact that both of them are faced with the same level of rejections. The government can play a great role in making sure that the use of genetically modified organs from the pigs is effectively enhanced. For that matter, the government should consider coming up with laws that legalize the use of genetically modified organ transplants from pigs as well as any other source that will be appropriate.