Before I start, I should probably begin by providing you readers with an explanation to what a “pigoon” is. Pigoons are fictional characters created by Canadian bestseller Margaret Atwood, first introducing them in “Oryx and Crake”. As you read in the book, “The goal of the pigoon project was to grow an assortment of foolproof human-tissue organs in a transgenic knockout pig host – organs that would transplant smoothly and avoid rejection […] and fend off attacks by opportunistic microbes and viruses”(23).
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| "Organ-Oink Farms" |
The book, preferably described by its author as being speculative fiction (and not sci-fi), offers the readers an insightful preview of what and where our world is heading. Corrupted societies markedly separated into either “rich” or “poor” classes, corrupted government, mega corporations (also corrupted) holding the future of society in the palm of their hands, and the growing, evolving branch of science are all things we must expect in the future if keep going down that path.
This “path” I speak of involves scientific advancements and breakthroughs having to do with xenotransplantation, genetic engineering, bringing back to life extinct animals, cloning, and so on. Also, all these buttocks injections and anti-wrinkle/anti-aging creams are something to consider as well. Indeed, in the book, Atwood mentions experiments in which “The main idea was to find a method of replacing the older epidermis with a fresh one, […] a genuine start-over skin that would be wrinkle- and blemish-free” (55). However, even in the book there were no effective methods found yet, and the volunteers came out looking like the “Mould Creature from Outer Space” with a greenish tone and peeling skin.
Anyways, pigoons are a perfect example of xenotransplantation – the transplantation of nonhuman tissues or organs into human recipients[1]. Although I am reluctant to the idea of making such experiments on animals only to dump them when we’re done with them, I actually like the idea developed in “Oryx in Crake”. In the book, the host does not get destroyed when their extra kidneys and livers are taken away; in fact, they keep living and grow more organs. Thus technically, no one gets hurts and lives are being saved. But does this make it ethical? Does it make it “okay”? And instead of keeping these “pigoons” locked up in a top-secure building and put them in an environment that suits them better, would any of you have anything to say against this kind of science?
[1] http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/432418-overview
Sources: Atwood, Margaret.Oryx and Crake. 2003. Toronto: Vintage Canada Edition, 2009.
I think that if scientist are able to perfect xenotransplantation it'd be a waste to eat the organs, so sorry to those that love liver.
ReplyDeleteMore seriously I don't see the deference between eating a pig or harvesting it's organs. Surely we wouldn't harvest the organs and leave the perfectly good meat to go to waste. That is assuming that the pigs weren't breed for the sole purpose of having it's organs taken (or the meat was edible).
I didn't know that scientist could bring back extinct animals by using cloning; this is very interesting. Thank you for including an article on the subject. As for pigeons, I think it is cruel to have animals only for their organs but at the same time, if those organs are used to save someone's life, it is worth thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteI think that such kind of science is great, if growing organs in an animal, without causing him any harm, works and could save so much lifes then why not? I think that lots of scientists are working right now on this type of science. I really don't see any issue in growing organs inside an animal.
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