PIG IN THE MIDDLE

Pig in the Middle
14th February 2005

	Ryan (16) has a big decision to make
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16 year old Ryan Wheeler has become one of the first people to be offered xenotransplantation in the UK.

Xenotransplantation is a new treatment which involves animal to human organ transplants. In Ryan’s case, if the operation were to go ahead, a pig’s kidney will be transplanted in order to replace one of Ryan’s damaged kidneys. The animal organ will function in exactly the same way as a human kidney within the recipient’s body and scientists believe that this type of treatment might eventually provide a long-term solution to the ongoing problem of donor shortage and long waiting lists within the UK. However, the treatment has attracted much criticism and concern from animal rights organizations.

Ryan, an avid football fan, will have to decide whether to undergo the treatment, scheduled for the 26th May, or to remain on dialysis until a new kidney becomes available.