Pig organs for Human transplantation & a Boy donates his Organs...

Hello Everyone I apologise I have not updated you all for a while, but do not fear I have been working behind the scenes on launching hard copies of petitions and I will let you know when they are ready for distribution. I am afraid it is a bumper update after my absence, but hopefully well worth a read... I know many of you will have already heard all about Scientists in the U.S. who are currently removing sections of pig DNA and replacing it with human cells to enable them to grow specific organs when they inject it into pig embryos. They are currently growing human pancreases in pigs, but only up until the embryo is 28 days old then it is terminated & the tissue removed for analysis. The idea being it could be a speedier version of the current stem-cell research which is an amazing concept, because it means there would be no need to worry about rejection or need for immunosuppressants as transplanted organs would be composed of entirely your cells. However it currently takes too long to grow an organ via stem cell research. Experimenting on pigs is obviously a controversial issue and Animals rights campaigners are calling on us to try to make sure we get as many human organ donors before we resort to it, I think this shows how it really is an organ donation crisis for us to consider this. And how we NEED the Soft Opt-Out system to be introduced as soon as possible. If you would like to find out more about it here is a BBC News article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36437428 I also wanted to share an amazing programme I came across on Radio 4 this week, it was topical for me after I have been discussing the issue of child transplantation at length this week and thought it was a wonderful coincidence to stumble across this programme. I won't spoil it and say too much, and I am aware I am biased as a recipient of a heart-transplant myself as a child, but I do believe if you are in the unimaginably awful situation of being asked if you would like to donate your child's organs & tissue if they go on to save one or many more lives it can bring great comfort to those left behind. I, also, know it is a very sensitive subject and I am not a parent myself so cannot say for certain that grief may prevent me donating my child's organs if faced with that situation but I am 99% sure I would. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dkkk0 As usual your thoughts and queries are welcomed. Feel free to comment below or email: optoutcampaign@gmail.com Kindest regards Lucy Ryan