From James Wright, IWK-Grace Health Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia
I greatly enjoyed your brief article about our research on using genetically
engineered fish as donors for islet cells (Technology, 16 November, p 20). It is
clear, succinct and beautifully written. I would like to point out one minor
error which makes it look as if I am mathematically challenged.
The quote that states, “To get the 1.4 million islet cells needed for a human
transplant, you need 10 pigs. To treat 10 000 diabetics a year, you need a
million pigs” should actually read, “To get the 1.4 million islets needed for a
human transplant, you need 10 pigs. To treat 100 000 diabetics a year, you need
a million pigs”. In the following paragraph the number 10 000 is also
substituted for 100 000.
