When "Pig At Heart" May Mean More Time To Live & Love - IMRAN™
When "Pig At Heart" May Mean More Time To Live & Love - IMRAN™
Being a Muslim, I do not eat pig-products. I truly hate the smell of things like bacon popular in non-Muslim countries. But, even Muslims understand that such dietary restrictions, or choices, can be set aside for medical purposes (e.g. I don't drink but alcohol being part of let's say some cough syrup is acceptable use).
During my University of Cambridge O' and A' Levels studies, in Pakistan, I could not stand to study biology, when my late father was insistent on trying to make me become a doctor. But, I love following developments in the fields of medicine and healthcare, especially as my field, technology, plays a deeper and more critical role in every aspect of them.
Like most men, I have probably also been called a pig at heart... though mine is a heart full of pure love, and, sure, maybe an extra dose of lust and desire. But, that is life!
These are the reasons that some recent news and a story in WIRED magazine were so interesting. Like a good TV show or movie it brought all the story arcs above into one dramatic climax, no piggish pun intended.
It involved the successful transplant of a pig's genetically modified heart into a man. As a donated organ the pig's heart kept a man in extremely grave health from his grave -- for at least 60-days. At the end of one's life I am certain that I would gladly take even 60-extra minutes, what to say of 60-extra days, alive. I would take it even just to be able to tell the ones I love how much and how deeply I would love them for eternity. Knowing myself, I would likely quip, "You will be in my pig's heart forever!"
Jokes aside, I love how genetics, medical science, and technology are helping the rapid advances in this field called xenotransplantation. Doubling the irony of a pig's heart giving a man a chance to live and love longer, was the fact that one of the primary surgeons doing the operation was a Muslim. Although I am sure somewhere some extremist rabbi or priest would be delivering fiery sermons on how this is not kosher or halal. But I bet if their own lives could be extended they would rush to become pig farmers.
Going back to the science, versus the dogma, check out the story in WIRED at the link below. "Here’s What’s Next for Pig Organ Transplants": www.wired.com/story/heres-whats-next-for-pig-organ-transp... Other similar operations have allowed pig's kidneys to be used in other patients.
An interesting era lies ahead.... when being a "pig at heart" may not be such a bad thing. What do you think of these developments? Would you accept a pig's heart to save your life?
© 2022 IMRAN™
#news #science #genetics #life #death #organdonation #surgery #heart #hearttransplant #pig #pork #religion #genome #IMRAN #WIRED #healthcare #longevity
When "Pig At Heart" May Mean More Time To Live & Love - IMRAN™
When "Pig At Heart" May Mean More Time To Live & Love - IMRAN™
Being a Muslim, I do not eat pig-products. I truly hate the smell of things like bacon popular in non-Muslim countries. But, even Muslims understand that such dietary restrictions, or choices, can be set aside for medical purposes (e.g. I don't drink but alcohol being part of let's say some cough syrup is acceptable use).
During my University of Cambridge O' and A' Levels studies, in Pakistan, I could not stand to study biology, when my late father was insistent on trying to make me become a doctor. But, I love following developments in the fields of medicine and healthcare, especially as my field, technology, plays a deeper and more critical role in every aspect of them.
Like most men, I have probably also been called a pig at heart... though mine is a heart full of pure love, and, sure, maybe an extra dose of lust and desire. But, that is life!
These are the reasons that some recent news and a story in WIRED magazine were so interesting. Like a good TV show or movie it brought all the story arcs above into one dramatic climax, no piggish pun intended.
It involved the successful transplant of a pig's genetically modified heart into a man. As a donated organ the pig's heart kept a man in extremely grave health from his grave -- for at least 60-days. At the end of one's life I am certain that I would gladly take even 60-extra minutes, what to say of 60-extra days, alive. I would take it even just to be able to tell the ones I love how much and how deeply I would love them for eternity. Knowing myself, I would likely quip, "You will be in my pig's heart forever!"
Jokes aside, I love how genetics, medical science, and technology are helping the rapid advances in this field called xenotransplantation. Doubling the irony of a pig's heart giving a man a chance to live and love longer, was the fact that one of the primary surgeons doing the operation was a Muslim. Although I am sure somewhere some extremist rabbi or priest would be delivering fiery sermons on how this is not kosher or halal. But I bet if their own lives could be extended they would rush to become pig farmers.
Going back to the science, versus the dogma, check out the story in WIRED at the link below. "Here’s What’s Next for Pig Organ Transplants": www.wired.com/story/heres-whats-next-for-pig-organ-transp... Other similar operations have allowed pig's kidneys to be used in other patients.
An interesting era lies ahead.... when being a "pig at heart" may not be such a bad thing. What do you think of these developments? Would you accept a pig's heart to save your life?
© 2022 IMRAN™
#news #science #genetics #life #death #organdonation #surgery #heart #hearttransplant #pig #pork #religion #genome #IMRAN #WIRED #healthcare #longevity