Pentagon Regrowing Soldiers’ Muscles From Pig Cells

[warrior1]

A few pig cells, a single surgery and a rigorous daily workout: They’re the three ingredients that patients will need to re-grow fresh, functional slabs of their own muscle, courtesy of Pentagon-backed science that’s already being used to rebuild parts of people.

The research team behind the project, based out of the University of Pittsburgh, has made remarkably swift progress: Mere months after starting their first-ever clinical trial, they’ve already operated on four soldiers and are now training groups of surgeons from across the country in perfecting the approach. If progress continues at this pace, the trial will wrap in 24 months and the technique will become “a standard of care for orthopedists and trauma surgeons,” according to Dr. Stephen Badylak, head of the initiative.

snip

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/11/regenerative-medicine-muscles/

[Posteritatis]

1. First read about that a few months ago; incredible then and it still is. (nt)

[Speck Tater]

2. I wonder what a wounded Muslim souldier would think about getting pig muscle transplant.

Would he take the Jehovah's Witness approach and refuse treatment?

[Lucinda]

3. First that I have heard about this.

Fascinating stuff. Thanks much for the link.

[mailman82]

4. I lost a big chunk of muscle!

In my thigh and lower leg in Viet nam! Doctors did a great job saving my leg! It took over 2 years in the Great Lakes Naval Hospital. I could not do a whole lot for about 5 years. I had braces on both legs. I am now 63 and retired from the Post Office. The Marines Retired me medically. Life has been good!

[Old Troop]

5. Thanks for your service!!