A Serious Question, Really

[Cooker]

With all of the different types of donor valves (cow, pig, human) I was wondering why simian valves are not used. Supposedly our DNA is very close to that of the chimpanzee, I would think that chimp valves would be an obvious source (not that I?m offering). Is there a size issue or something that prevents the use simian valves?

 

[Karlynn]

It's my guess that it's because pig and cow valves are obtained through "by-product" of the meat packing industry. Human valves are through donation, I would think. Chimps are not a "food product" as are cows and pigs and the chimp would lose it's life for strictly valve harvesting.

Remember years ago at Loma Linda, the big controversy over a baby receiving a baboon heart transplant?

 

[Cooker]

It's my guess that it's because pig and cow valves are obtained through "by-product" of the meat packing industry. Human valves are through donation, I would think. Chimps are not a "food product" as are cows and pigs and the chimp would lose it's life for strictly valve harvesting.

Remember years ago at Loma Linda, the big controversy over a baby receiving a baboon heart transplant?

Could be. I don’t want to open a can of worms but if a simian valve is a “perfect” match or fit I could condone the use. I am an animal lover but if it is a monkey vs. human. The human wins hands down.

 

[geebee]

Where's that can of worms picture.

I would not have anyone kill a chimp (or a baboon or gorilla or whatever) so I could live. I do realize that animals are/were used in valve research but that seems different to me than killing one to pull a valve out for my personal use. Just my opinion tho.

 

[Cooker]

Here ya go Gina
View attachment 5432

 

[WayneGM]

Hmmmm.....is there a double standard for chimps? I'm not sure the difference between killing an animal to harvest a life saving organ or killing it to eat it. Either way, the animal is dead for our own (collective human) gain.

Cooker look at what you started!!!! Now, pass that can of worms so I can go fishing for supper.

 

[Cooker]

Cooker look what you started!!!! Now, pass that can of worms so I can go fishing for supper.

ok....but don't harvest a fish valve JUST KIDDING

 

[sue943]

Conservation Not necessarily chimps, but some of the apes are endangered in the wild and breeding in captivity is done to prevent species from dying out.

What about maturity? Pigs and cows grow fairly quickly but apes are much slower growing, demand would far exceed supply.

 

[Cooker]

Conservation Not necessarily chimps, but some of the apes are endangered in the wild and breeding in captivity is done to prevent species from dying out.

What about maturity? Pigs and cows grow fairly quickly but apes are much slower growing, demand would far exceed supply.

Good points, Sue.

 

[lieb2101]

Actually,

From Wikipedia:

"The porcine (or pig) heart is most similar to the human heart, and therefore represents the best anatomical fit for replacement."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_heart_valve

On a side note, my Wife did ask my Surgeon what it would cost to upgrade to a Gorilla valve...
I asked if there were any other parts he could upgrade while he was at it.

 

[aussigal]

Intersting points raised so-far...
I have often seen pigs used as "dummy humans" for lab-testing procedures etc. 'cos they so closely match us humans.
As far as I know a local Perth Hospital (Fremantle) is still working and researching etc. on using Kangaroo valves...Maybe Kangaroos arent so precious.

 

[Susan BAV]

I really don't know about every porcine or bovine valve--and I don't have time to research it right now--but I know there is a place near us where they raise special pigs in an extraordinarily bio-safe environment for just this type of thing, as xenografts as I understand--NOT "byproducts" from the slaughterhouse .

But my husband told me to tell you that, "Whatever it is and wherever it comes from, it sure works good!"
And he told me to write "good" with big letters and extra "ohs." "GOOOOOOD!"

 

[cp172]

For those of us having to decide which valve to select one more option might cause our little heads to explode.


CP