Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Pig heart transplant. would you take one?

97 replies

reesewithoutaspoon · 12/01/2022 00:42

So in the news, American doctors have transplanted a genetically modified pigs heart into a man who is alive 3 days later.
Should we be messing with cross species transplantation? what about the potential for pig viruses to mutate into something that becomes transmissible human to human. Not sure if that's even a possibility, but you would have to be heavily immune supressed surely to tolerate a non human organ.
Sometimes I think just because we can doesn't mean we should. but I'm not in this guys situation and don't know what I would choose if I was.
Something about it just gives me the heebie jeebies,

OP posts:
CaMePlaitPas · 12/01/2022 06:47

This is one of the reasons Muslims don't eat pork, because genetically pigs and humans are very similar.

I remember Pig Heart Boy @WheelieBinPrincess! It was the first thing i thought of when I heard the news!

I feel bad for the pig but I also think it's wonderful that this man has been given another chance at life. If that was my Dad I wouldn't be wringing my hands. So despite some initial reservations, I am for it yes.

zippityzip · 12/01/2022 06:48

@WheelieBinPrincess

Anyone else remember Pig Heart Boy on children’s tv?
I literally was telling my eldest DD about this a few days ago and she looked at me in horror!! Was an excellent series! No one else seems to know what I'm talking about.
AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken · 12/01/2022 06:52

@Rabblesthecat

No but pigs are!

How is it worse to farm and slaughter them for a heart to be transplanted than for a heart to be stuffed with herbs and fruit and roasted for dinner!

That’s not what I quoted. You said there’s no difference between using a pig’s heart and a human heart. There is.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Heatherjayne1972 · 12/01/2022 06:53

Well sat here perfectly healthy I’m thinking no
But - if I was going to die and leave my kids I imagine my view may well be different

But I do Hope the guy lives a long healthy life with no issues from mixing species

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/01/2022 06:53

@CaMePlaitPas

This is one of the reasons Muslims don't eat pork, because genetically pigs and humans are very similar.

I remember Pig Heart Boy @WheelieBinPrincess! It was the first thing i thought of when I heard the news!

I feel bad for the pig but I also think it's wonderful that this man has been given another chance at life. If that was my Dad I wouldn't be wringing my hands. So despite some initial reservations, I am for it yes.

Really? How did they know that over 1000 years ago when the Koran was written? I'm assuming the ban goes back that far. I would have assumed that it followed Jewish practice and was for practical reasons in hot countries long before fridges were invented as a way of avoiding food poisoning.
Shehasadiamondinthesky · 12/01/2022 06:55

No. The pig didn't agree to that. I wouldn't have a transplant either. I've seen the long term effects of anti rejection drugs and I dont want toive like that.

GoodnightGrandma · 12/01/2022 06:55

Absolutely. A relative of mine died because there wasn’t a heart available.

Simonjt · 12/01/2022 07:00

This is one of the reasons Muslims don't eat pork, because genetically pigs and humans are very similar.

It isn’t one of the reasons we don’t eat pork.

SandysMam · 12/01/2022 07:01

@Shehasadiamondinthesky thanks for that, some of us don’t have a choice if we don’t want to leave our babies without a mum, but glad you don’t have to make that choice Hmm

YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp · 12/01/2022 07:12

It’s a choice between living and dying so yes, I would have one.

RedRobin100 · 12/01/2022 07:16

Would you rather die?

UnbelievableAlien · 12/01/2022 07:21

@RedRobin100

Would you rather die?
Yes I would rather die and I can only speak for myself on that and not judge another’s choices. I love life, but I don’t fear death when it is my time. Old age, illness and death are natural. Sadly, many live like they will never die and then die having never truly lived.
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 12/01/2022 07:27

Yes I'd have one

RandomUsernameHere · 12/01/2022 07:28

The man that had the transplant wasn't eligible for a human organ and would have died without a transplant, so in that situation I'd take it.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/01/2022 07:55

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

No. The pig didn't agree to that. I wouldn't have a transplant either. I've seen the long term effects of anti rejection drugs and I dont want toive like that.
I know two men who had kidney transplants many years ago and both have been able to live a good, full life many years beyond what they'd have had without the transplant. Before the transplants they needed dialysis several times a week. It's an individual choice, but I think it's fantastic that transplants are now an option for some people with serious illnesses.
SandysMam · 12/01/2022 07:56

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g thank you, I really needed to hear that xx

EllaPaella · 12/01/2022 07:57

Well the alternative would be death so yes, obviously I would take one if I needed it.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/01/2022 07:57

Good luck, @SandysMam, I hope an organ becomes available for you soon.

Bagelsandbrie · 12/01/2022 08:00

My Grandad had a piece of a pigs heart used in a transplant for a heart valve many years ago. He had it done when he was 50 ish and lived to 80 - this was about 20 years ago now that he died. It’s amazing what they can do really.

SickAndTiredAgain · 12/01/2022 08:03

@Birkenshock

I've watched many episodes of Greys Anatomy where this has been done successfully, so I'd class myself as a pretty authoritative source on the matter, and I'd say yes it definitely works and it's a great idea.
On greys they’ve done valves from pigs and cows, not full hearts.

But in terms of how I’d feel about it, I’m not sure why a valve would be fine but a heart wouldn’t do yeah, I’d have one.

Ethelswith · 12/01/2022 08:05

Way back, my DDad had a series of shunts fitted one after the other because he'd been on dialysis for years and his own veins couldn't take it any more. One of those was something I've seen termed as a "porcine haemodialysis device' - or a loop of pig vein

That was back in the 1970s. So I've known about the successful use of bits of pig in the human body for ages.

And if it was receive it myself or die, then yes I'd take it. I'd be scared of the risks from any heart transplant, and expect graft/host issues irrespective of source of organ

SickAndTiredAgain · 12/01/2022 08:05

A bit off topic but if some heart donor recipients are known to pick up on traits or interests or preferences of the deceased donor, what does that mean if your donor is a pig?

Do they? Actual research has shown this? I’m sceptical, what bit of your personality is held in your heart then?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 12/01/2022 08:07

Absolutely I would.

drwitch · 12/01/2022 08:16

The pigoons in the oryx and crake (the last big Atwood series) make my feel a bit strange about this. But logically yes

Watercoloursky · 12/01/2022 08:18

I remember reading Pig Heart Boy as a child... that must have been 20-odd years ago, amazing that the science has advanced like this!