Pig pancreas transplant

[huladancer, ADN, BSN, MSN]

My dad talked to a family member who lives in Mexico. According to my aunt, a couple family members, who suffer from diabetes, had a pig pancreases transplanted into their forearms. I've heard of human pancreatic transplants to stop diabetes, but I've never heard of pig transplants. I did a yahoo search and found the following link.

CTV.ca | Miracle in Mexico

I'm not sure if this is the same doctor my relatives went to see. I'm sure there are plenty of doctors (and non-doctors) performing these procedures to make money. I believe my dad said the procedure cost 500 dollars. That's a lot of money to those who live in Mexico. Medical procedures are not regulated the same in Mexico, as in the U.S.

My relatives' blood sugar levels have decreased since the transplant.

Any thoughts???

[TazziRN, RN]

I wouldn't do it. Not without strict regulation and study like we would have here.

[Soup Turtle]

I hate the idea of transplanting ANYTHING from one species to another. It's just wrong, IMHO.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Huh. I guess if my diabetes were out of control I'd give it a shot.

[Hoozdo, ADN]

My dad talked to a family member who lives in Mexico. According to my aunt, a couple family members, who suffer from diabetes, had a pig pancreases transplanted into their forearms. I've heard of human pancreatic transplants to stop diabetes, but I've never heard of pig transplants. I did a yahoo search and found the following link.

CTV.ca | Miracle in Mexico

I'm not sure if this is the same doctor my relatives went to see. I'm sure there are plenty of doctors (and non-doctors) performing these procedures to make money. I believe my dad said the procedure cost 500 dollars. That's a lot of money to those who live in Mexico. Medical procedures are not regulated the same in Mexico, as in the U.S.

My relatives' blood sugar levels have decreased since the transplant.

Any thoughts???

I did not read the article, but I can tell you right now the immune suppressants required for an organ transplant cost more than $500 monthly. Are these people taking nothing to prevent rejection? I would say they run a pretty good chance at loosing their arms due to graft vs host disease with no immune suppresants.