Monday, June 20, 2011

Pigs could grow human organs in stem cell breakthrough

UK Telegraph

Human organs could be grown inside pigs for use in transplant operations following research using stem cells.


Pig
The researchers have already managed to produce pigs that were able to generate human blood by injecting blood stem cells from humans into pig foetuses Photo: ALAMY

Scientists have found they can create chimeric animals that have organs belonging to another species by injecting stem cells into the embryo of another species.

The researchers injected stem cells from rats into the embryos of mice that had been genetically altered so they could not produce their own organs, creating mice that had rat organs.

The researchers say the technique could allow pigs to grow human organs from patient's stem cells for use as transplants...[Full Article]