For diabetes, this usually refers to transplanting islet cells from pigs into humans. Insulin from pigs closely resembles human insulin and has been used successfully by people for many years. Proponents of xenotransplantation note that, should human islet cell transplantation prove successful, that there are not enough human pancreases available to help the million people with Type 1 diabetes in the United States. They promote xenotransplantation because of the ready availability of pig islets. Scientists are working on ways to encapsulate pig islets to prevent them from being identified by the host's immune system, and thereby protect them from hyperacute rejection and any pre-existing autoimmunity.
Xenotransplantation is still in the research stage.
Mellitus , a Clinical Practice Recommendation from the American Diabetes Association. Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation by Dr. Mark Cattral, at the Canadian Diabetes Association website. Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Comments and Feedback . Privacy statement .