Xenotransplantation
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zachysgirl
Does the immune system react differently to xenotransplants compared with conventional transplants?
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replied to:  zachysgirl
teenagedebator
Replied to:  Does the immune system react differently to xenotransplants compared with conventional...
I don't think there would be much of a difference considering that conventional transplants, (or, human to human transplants,) would be different than xenotransplants, (or, swine to human transplants) because the basic genetic structure is the same in both species. Both species are mammals so both species have what are known as "Hox genes". Hox genes are a group of related genes that determine the basic structure and orientation of the organ. I believe that the human patient would react the same way to a swine organ as he would a human organ, if not better. Swine organs-before transplantation-can be biologically engineered to better suite the patient thus lowering the chances of that organ being rejected. The swines would probably be engineered before birth to suite with different body types, then kept in different areas with other swine that have been engineered in the same manner to fit the same body types. This would ultimately lower reduce the risk of having the right organ for the wrong body type, and would lower, if not eliminate the chances of the body rejecting that organ. This in turn would reduce the cost it would take to keep the human organs alive after the host is dead, reduce the cost it would take to store those organs in a safe environment, and would ultimately reduce costs all around eliminating the need for medical subscriptions to help the body accept the organ. Then, the human organ transplant may not cooperate with that body type, be rejected, and the patient may possibly die. Even if he didn't, he would wish he were with all the money that it would have cost him in the end.
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