Gene therapy is the use of genetic information to alter deficits and diseases within the organism and it can now officially be claimed responsible for creating a biological pacemaker in a pig. Pig hearts are much like human hearts, which would explain their extensive use in experiments and research. This research alters the muscle cells in the heart to provide a regular heartbeat.
The experiment was conducted using pigs suffering from a condition known as heart block suffer. This makes the heart beat slowly, thus the animals were injected with a normal human gene in a tiny portion of their heart and fascinatingly muscle cells responded by delivering regular electrical signals so the heart could beat normally.
The research used an adenovirus to merge the human gene with the pig’s genetic code otherwise the pig’s defense mechanisms would kick in and its system would reject the human gene entirely. 10 percent of all the respiratory problems in children are caused by these viruses and they are a common cause of diarrhea. However the researchers believe that it is safe to use the virus for this process.
It is perhaps obvious that the virus would involve some risk but the utility of the result definitely outweighs the risks involved. The implications of this experiment could mean that one day mechanical pacemakers could be replaced and the patient could have a healthy heart again. The gene used in named TBX18 and it works by coding for a protein that assists in regulating the timing of the heartbeat. Pigs in the study responded to the treatment in just two days by developing a faster heartbeat. If the treatment can be applicable to humans it may be the solution to many troubling issues that concern heart treatment. For example; the physiological immaturity of fetuses disallows them from receiving mechanical pace makers, with this treatment the gene could be delivered to the fetus via an injection through the womb.
Mechanical pacemakers have to be replaced and it is not uncommon to develop an infection (1 in 50 pacemaker recipients) because of the pacemaker as it is an external object inside the body. This therapy could solve these medical problems and the patient could be cured of a fatal condition with just a single gene injection!
