Our local newspaper the Quincy Illinois Whig ran an article about transplanted gene edited pig organs.  Based on a New Hampshire trail with two men and other trials the Food and Drug Administration approved a rigorous study using genetically altered pigs so their organs are more humanlike.   The organs from genetically altered pigs are less likely to be destroyed when used in humans.

This technology has great potential but raises lots of questions.

At meetings back in the early or mid 80ies the discussion was about how or could they keep pigs from starting to look and act like humans. The other concern was are we trying to play God if started putting human gene in animals. When would it end?  Who and how will you control the way human gene is used.

I think some of these decisions will have to be made in the very near future.

I was chairing a meeting for pseudorabies in pigs when it was made public that a gene deleted vaccine had been approved for use in pigs for a herpes virus, Pseudorabies.  The professor who helped develop the first gene deleted herpes vaccine said at the meeting there was endless possibilities using this technology. The one thing I remember him saying was “in the future most likely not in our life time but one day will be able to put gene in human from salamander and regenerate body parts. He went on to say would it not be great if give a shot to a baby and if later in life he or she lost an arm or eye it would grow back.

Read my book “Your Food- My Adventure”