Science & Technology

Human organs to be grown inside animals

By T.K. Randall
June 22, 2013 ·  26 comments

Image Credit: sxc.hu Researchers at the centre for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the University of Tokyo have developed a pioneering technique that could allow human organs to be grown inside pigs and then harvested for transplant patients. If successful, the breakthrough could lead to an unlimited supply of organs available for transplant without lengthy waiting lists.

There is a snag however - in order to begin trialling the technique the scientists will require approval from the Japanese government because what they are planning is prohibited under current guidelines. A panel of science and legal experts will be drawing up a recommendation that they are hoping will convince authorities to grant them permission to proceed with the research.[!gad]Researchers at the centre for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine at the University of Tokyo have developed a pioneering technique that could allow human organs to be grown inside pigs and then harvested for transplant patients. If successful, the breakthrough could lead to an unlimited supply of organs available for transplant without lengthy waiting lists.

There is a snag however - in order to begin trialling the technique the scientists will require approval from the Japanese government because what they are planning is prohibited under current guidelines. A panel of science and legal experts will be drawing up a recommendation that they are hoping will convince authorities to grant them permission to proceed with the research.

Source: National Post | Comments (26)

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