Posted by Keith Harmis on October 29, 2001 at 21:06:14:
In Reply to: Re: DRI & Xenotransplantation posted by Al Gordon on October 29, 2001 at 07:19:10:
I attended the DRI research update, and although I wasn't taking notes, the way I remember it was that Dr. Harlan from the NIH had the most concerns about xenotransplantation. He stated something to the effect that if you transplant cells from another species and combine it with immunosuppression, there could be the possibility that an HIV type virus could happen. One thing to bear in mind, was that this is what I heard during a 45 minute "breakout" session with the research team, Drs. Ricordi, Edlund, Harlan, and Kenyon. There were 3 seperate breakout sessions with them, and something may have been said at other sessions depending upon the questions that were asked by the audience. There was also a moderator, who fielded the questions at random from the audience, and as one question was asked and answered, they moved on to another person's question. The session wasn't really set up to have a lot of back and forth dialogue on specific questions, but to answer as many questions from the audience in the alloted time.
As far as Dr. Ricordi's comments about the study in Mexico, he did say that he chose not to participate with them. He cited safety as his main concern and felt that they were moving forward too fast and should have tested on larger mammals instead of humans. An example that he gave,was the death of the young 18 year old man which I believe came out of research at Penn University. Besides this being a tragedy in itself, he said this also set back this area of research a couple of years. I'm sure someone remembers that specifics of this research although it escapes me now. I believe it happened 1-2 years ago.
My interpretation of Dr. Ricordi's statements about the Mexican study or other studies that don't take necessary safety precautions, was that if the researchers move forward too quickly and serious complications or death result, it will do harm to whatever line of research was being pursued.
I didn't come away thinking that he or DRI for that matter, was neccessarily opposed to xenotransplantation, but that they are moving very cautiously in this area due to safety concerns. Of course, this was my interpretation, and the only ones to really answer their position on this would be the researchers themselves.
Keith