Corneal Transplant

Описание: [Anchor Lead]

Next we have some good news for people who need a corneal transplant. The cornea of a pig transplanted to a monkey has maintained normal function for nearly eight months, raising hopes of the possibility of conducting clinical trials on humans in the near future.

[Pkg]

This monkey from the Philippines received corneal transplantation from a pig in September of last year. A rejection response, which usually occurs during cross-species organ transplantation, did not occur even without the use of any immune suppressors. The transplanted cornea has been functioning normally for 234 days solely with the help of eye drops. The previous record was 90 days.

[Soundbite] Prof. Yoon Ik-jin(Konkuk Univ.) : "The fact that the cornea has survived for more than six months without immunal suppression means that cross-species corneal transplantation can be implemented clinically earlier than expected."

The researchers plan to begin clinical trials on humans soon. If the clinical trials proceed successfully, people with damaged corneas are expected to benefit immensely. In Korea, there are two thousand people who need corneal transplantation. They have to wait about six years on average to find a transplant.

[Soundbite] Oh Keon-bong(Rural Development Administration) : "By using pigs' corneas, we can transplant them to patients with damaged corneas right away to help them regain their vision."

The Rural Development Administration has been conducting research on the transplantation of pigs' corneas, hearts, pancreatic cells and skin through genetic modification since 2009. However, ethical issues surrounding cross-species organ transplantation and negligence of life remain unresolved.