I don’t really know what it takes to be considered a scientist. But, I read a lot of science, so I consider myself one. Maybe an amateur scientist. That would be the label if we were using sports terms, but I don’t know that what applies to sports applies to science. That’s sort of the essence of science if you ask me. But, being the amateur scientist that I am, I have an obligation to cover advancements in the field as the journalist that I also am. I’m very interested in things like gene therapy, so you can imagine my excitement upon reading this article:
Scientists have been able to reverse heart failure in pigs by delivering a new gene to the heart that makes it better at pumping blood and supplying the body with oxygen. The goal is to reverse heart failure with a single injection. This time around, Dr. Hajjar said, he and his team have reengineered the viral vector to make it more effective at delivering the new gene to the heart.
The gene therapy was safe and reduced heart failure by 25 percent in the left ventricle by 20 percent in the left atrium. Hajjar says most patients with heart failure have problems in the left ventricle. The treatment also reduced the size of the animals’ enlarged hearts by 10 percent.
Wow, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy for pigs. This feels like a huge win for pigs everywhere. But, my big question is why aren’t we trying to do this for humans?
About 5.7 million adults in the U.S. have heart failure, and about half of those who are diagnosed die within five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart failure currently can’t be cured; it can only be managed with medications and behavioral changes like quitting smoking, watching your diet, and getting regular physical activity.
I don’t want to be overly critical, but hey – that’s part of science, too. How can you read that 5.7 million adults in the U.S. have heart failure, and then decide to cure heart failure in pigs? If anything, I want more pigs to die. That may make me a controversial scientist, but I just love bacon, ham, and pickled pigs feet.
Sometimes I wonder about humans and our ability to not see the forest for the trees. This gene therapy is obviously working. But, why aren’t we using it to take care of our people?
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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