PIG IN THE MIDDLE

“Animal Kidney Doctor” on drugs company payroll
13th April 2005

	Dr. Mayhew has vehemently denied the accusations
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A local doctor has been accused of profiting from the forthcoming introduction of xeno - transplantations at the renal unit of Unsworth Hospital. Head of renal surgery, Dr. Angela Mayhew, is said on be on the payroll of the pharmaceutical company TransMed, who have researched and produced the new anti-rejection drugs for use following xenotransplantations.

The introduction of such animal to human transplants at the hospital will indeed dramatically increase sales of TransMed’s products and vastly increase the companies profile and profits. Animal rights protesters have accused Dr. Mayhew of conducting xenotransplantations at the hospital in order to further her own career and financial position. Dr. Mayhew has already appeared on numerous television and news interviews, promoting the treatment.

Dr. Mayhew has denied the accusations that have been levelled at her. “I fully believe in the treatment. I won’t deny that I am sponsored by TransMed to undertake my research but my only real concern is the health and safety of my patients. If I didn’t have this funding, the treatment would not be possible and many patients may have to wait for years for the chance of a new kidney. The treatment and the drugs have been fully tested now and we are sure that they are safe and effective. It could provide hope for thousands of patients who are desperate to have a new kidney.

Of course I care about animals but my patients are my number one priority. Obviously in a perfect world we wouldn’t use animals in this way-but this isn’t a perfect world. The pigs are well looked after and live in very hygienic conditions on special farms.”

However, one of Dr. Mayhew’s patients, animal rights protester teenager Gemma Lewis said today, “I knew the treatment was going to be available soon, but not at our hospital- I think it’s sick. I can’t believe Dr. Mayhew is involved with something like this.”

16 year old Ryan Wheeler has been one of the first patients at the unit to be offered a xenotransplantation and although he has yet to make a decision Dr. Mayhew today urged him to go ahead. “I think the treatment would be in Ryan’s best interests. His age and fitness make him an ideal candidate for the treatment and it would vastly improve his quality of life.”

Although Ryan was unavailable for comment today, his mother Sally said that he is yet to come to a decision regarding the treatment.