Hey there! I’m Kate from MinuteEarth. Did you know that in the United States, 22 people die every day because they can’t get a kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant in time? There just aren’t enough donated organs available, and we can’t take them from healthy people. But here’s a cool idea: what if we could use pig organs instead?
Pigs have organs that are quite similar in size and structure to ours, and we already raise a lot of pigs for food. So, it seems like a good match, right? The problem is our immune system. It’s super good at spotting and rejecting anything that doesn’t belong in our body. Even organs from other humans can sometimes be rejected. Pig organs are even more foreign because they have a special sugar on their cells that tells our immune system to attack.
Luckily, scientists have figured out how to engineer pigs so their organs don’t have these sugars. If we can solve other immune system issues, we might be able to use pig organs for transplants in the future.
There’s an even cooler idea: growing human organs inside pigs. This isn’t just science fiction; it’s actually being tested. Scientists can create a pig embryo that won’t develop its own kidneys. Then, they add stem cells from the person who needs a transplant. As the pig grows, these human cells can turn into healthy kidneys that are a perfect match for the patient.
So far, this has only been done with pig stem cells, not human ones. Scientists have paused experiments with pig-human embryos after four weeks because they’re worried that human cells might grow into other organs, which raises ethical questions.
If these pigs can grow human organs, what rights should they have? What if a pig has human kidneys, a liver, or even a brain? How would we decide what the pig is then?
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Research the process of organ transplantation and the challenges associated with it. Create a presentation to share with the class, explaining why there is a shortage of human organs for transplants and how using pig organs could be a solution.
Participate in a class debate about the ethical implications of growing human organs in pigs. Consider questions like: Should pigs with human organs have rights? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of this technology?
Engage in a simulation activity where you act as the human immune system. Learn how the immune system identifies and attacks foreign bodies, and discuss how scientists are working to prevent organ rejection in transplants.
Write a short story set in the future where growing human organs in pigs is a common practice. Explore the societal changes and personal stories that might arise from this medical advancement.
Discuss the science behind stem cells and their role in growing human organs in pigs. Explore the current limitations and potential breakthroughs in this field, and share your thoughts on the future of stem cell research.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, this is Kate from MinuteEarth. In the United States alone, 22 people die every day waiting for a kidney, liver, heart, or lung transplant. There simply aren’t enough donated human organs available, and we can’t just take them from healthy individuals. However, pigs’ organs have a similar structure and proportions to human organs, and we already raise a significant number of pigs each year for food. So, why can’t we use their organs?
The challenge is that our immune systems are very effective at identifying and rejecting foreign substances. Even human-to-human organ transplants can sometimes be rejected. Pig organs are even more foreign; they have a specific sugar molecule on their cell surfaces that signals to our immune system to attack.
Fortunately, scientists have engineered pigs whose organs do not have these sugars. If we can address other immune response triggers in pig organs, we might one day be able to transplant them into humans.
There’s also a more innovative idea: growing customized human organs in pigs. This is not just a concept; it’s an ongoing experiment. First, scientists engineer a pig embryo that does not develop its own kidneys. Then, they inject it with stem cells from the person needing a transplant. As the modified pig embryo develops, those human cells can grow into healthy kidneys made from the patient’s own cells.
So far, this experiment has only been completed using stem cells from other pigs. We don’t yet know if it will work with human kidneys, as experiments with pig-human embryos have been paused after four weeks of development. This is due to concerns that some human stem cells might develop into other human organs within the pig, raising ethical questions about their treatment.
Even if these hybrid pigs produce life-saving organs, what rights would we grant to a part-human pig, even if it’s just a kidney? What if it has two kidneys, a liver, or lungs? In theory, we could use this technology to grow human hearts, spinal cords, and even brains inside pigs. If that happens, how will we determine the identity of the pig?
This episode of MinuteEarth is supported in part by Tab for a Cause. If you open many tabs in your browser, Tab for a Cause is a browser extension that donates to charity with each new tab you open, benefiting nonprofits like Conservation International and Human Rights Watch at no cost to you. The last time we featured Tab for a Cause, MinuteEarth viewers raised over $10,000—click the link in the description to help us do even better this time.
And while you’re down there, please find the notification bell next to the subscribe button and click on it. YouTube has changed how it notifies subscribers, and this is the best way to ensure you know when we post a new video. You can do the same on your phone or tablet. If you don’t see the bell, make sure you’re subscribed first. Thanks, and see you next time!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Pigs – Domesticated animals often used in scientific research for studying human diseases and organ transplants. – Scientists are studying pigs to understand how their organs can be used for human transplants.
Organs – Parts of the body that perform specific functions, such as the heart or liver. – The liver is one of the vital organs that helps in detoxifying the blood.
Immune – Relating to the body’s defense system against infections and diseases. – The immune system protects the body by fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses.
Scientists – People who study or have expert knowledge in science, especially biology and chemistry. – Scientists are working on developing new medicines to treat diseases.
Transplant – The process of transferring an organ or tissue from one body to another. – A heart transplant can save the life of a person with severe heart disease.
Embryos – Early stages of development in living organisms, before they become fully formed. – Researchers study embryos to learn more about human development and genetics.
Kidneys – Organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine. – The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the body’s fluid balance.
Ethical – Relating to moral principles and the rightness or wrongness of actions. – It is important to consider ethical issues when conducting experiments on animals.
Cells – The basic building blocks of all living organisms, which carry out essential functions. – Human bodies are made up of trillions of cells that work together to keep us alive.
Sugar – A type of carbohydrate that provides energy to living organisms. – Plants produce sugar through the process of photosynthesis, which is then used as energy.
