Will pigs save us

[kickingandscreaming]

20 Americans Die Each Day Waiting for Organs. Can Pigs Save Them?

Thanks to genetically engineered pigs, the donor-organ shortage could soon be a thing of the past.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/14/magazine/tech-design-xenotransplantation.html?utm_source=nextdraft&utm_medium=email

[cassandra]

Seriously when I was 'waiting' for a kidney the first time 35 years ago this xenotransplantation program was already in 'full swing' and 'very promising'. Billions and billions of dollars have been put into research, thousands of people employed, promoted by this 'so very promising just around the corner development'.
Why not stick all this money, all these resources, all this knowledge into preventing organs (or people as they are really called, homo sapiens) from getting ill in the first place. Not all homo sapiens on waiting lists for organs are old, nor overweight, nor smokers, nor dumb. Why not use some of those resources, dollars and pounds and euros to educate people that your body doesn't need your organs when you're in heaven. I mean where is the urine of all those billions of people in heaven? (For example)
Why not improve the D machines we need to use at the moment?
Why not improve heathcare? Why not make it available to everybody?

[Charlie B53]

Because People in general are STUPID.  If it doesn't upset their breakfast Cheerios, or create static as they watch their TV, they con't care about anything or any one else.

Until they or someone close to them become afflicted with a specific medical problem they know nothing and care not a whit about those that do rther then a brief 'Oh thaa'ts terrible' in passing.  Then nothing more.

Once upon a time High Schools required mandatory Biology classes which educated teens about their body and some of the things that could go wrong.  This should come back and be expanded,  Teach them the importance of diet and moderate exercise.  The more common afflictions of NOT taking better care of oneself such as diabetes, and kidney failure.

Granted not all afflictions may be preventable but stress the importance of annual check-ups to diagnose potential problems long before they become life threatening. 

And instill in their little heads how life-giving organ donation can be.  Start signing them up as Donors while they are still able to learn instead of waiting until they are older and grown dumber.