Translation of the article published by the Portuguese weekly newspaper Expresso, Saturday, April 28, 2001, section "Vidas", on-line at:
http://online.expresso.pt/vidas/artigos/interior.asp?edicao=1487&id_artigo=ES24152&displayComentarios=true
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Ox Blood
A product with bovine blood will be commercialized. The corporation
that commercializes it assures that it replaces human blood.
Text: César Avó
Hemopure, composed of hemoglobin
from bovine blood, is in reality a
temporary substitute for human blood.
Do you find unbelievable the idea of extracting red blood cells from
a cow to infuse in humans? Fact is, soon a product with that
characteristic will be commercialized in South Africa. Just like in
the joke about the doctor, there are good and bad news. The good news
is the possibility, at short term, of utilization of a product that
behaves like red blood cells. This solution, baptized Hemopure,
is tolerated by all types of blood and has a remarkable capacity
of conservation, when compared with blood: 2 years, at ambient
temperature, against less than 1 month and a half, if frozen.
Each unit of Hemopure is formed by 30 grams of hemoglobin (the
protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells) extracted from
red blood cells of North-American bovines. The solution is
then applied in the fluid part of blood, plasma. Moreover,
this alternative medium of transportation of oxygen to the
tissues, by its nature, cannot transmit human infectious
diseases, case of HIV. Investigators also assure that the
transmission of the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human
variant of the "mad cow" disease, is almost zero -- the
probability is less than 1 in 100,000,000 -- since the proteins
of blood are removed, in a process of "purification" obtained
by a modified protein.
To begin with, there are multiple advantages. It is a simple
process for blood transfusions. Its particles, 1,000 times
smaller than red blood cells, can be a precious auxiliary in
anti-cancerigenous treatments or to penetrate blocked arteries.
It is also an important reserve, especially in Third World
countries, where the lack of uncontaminated blood is chronic,
or in case of bellic conflict [war] or natural catastrophe.
"If there is any alternative safer than the potential risks of
blood transfusions, it should be used", said the coordinator
for the safety of blood transfusions of the World Health
Organization, Luc Noel.
Now the bad news. According to some experts, and contrary to
what Biopure (the corporation that is holder to the patent of
the product) advertises, Hemopure is not a substitute for red
blood cells, but it is a mere temporary treatment. A blood
transfusion transmits oxygen for a month, while Hemopure's
effect stops after 1 or 2 days, forcing frequent transfusions.
"The solution works like a bridge, helping the patient to keep
healthy, until real blood can be applied. It is certain that it
will not replace blood transfusions", said doctor Anthon Heyns,
director of the South African Blood National Service. On the
other hand, Hemopure does not supply the body with plasma and
platelets, only present in the red liquid.
Weakness, abdominal aches, nausea, hypertension, jaundice and
cutaneous eruption [skin problems] are some of the collateral
effects that may occur in the patients subjected to a transfusion
with this product, which has undergone tests in the last 9
years in American, European and South African clinics, and has
been under development since 1984. Another point that may weight
negatively in the balance is the price. In South Africa it will
probably cost less than in the developed countries, but in these
[developed countries] the acquisition of Hemopure will cost 4 to
5 times more than blood.
Expectant Witnesses
Especially interested in this subject are Jehovah's Witnesses.
According to the doctrine of this religious confession, bible
based, man should abstain from blood, and consequently blood
transfusions are not allowed.
Contrary to what an association of reformist Jehovah's Witnesses,
the Associated Jehova's [sic] Witnesses for Reform on Blood (AJWRB),
announced, it has not been approved the use of fractions of any of
the primary blood components. "What changed was science", explains
Pedro Candeias. This director of the Hospital Information Services
of Jehovah's Witnesses insists in saying that they "believe in
medicine and not in cure by faith" and that they are "interested
in the scientific advancement". Pedro Candeias, cautioning that he
is not making the apology of any product, points to the blood
recovering machines and to another blood substitute undergoing
tests, this one totally synthetic, called Oxygent, so that people
do not get exposed "to the enormous risks that a transfusion
implies".
[end of article]
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Note: the newspaper where this article was published is the most
important weekly newspaper in Portugal and is widely read. This is
the first time I see AJWRB mentioned in Portuguese press.
The following paragraph of the newspaper article is wrong:
Contrary to what an association of reformistbecause, as the following page explains:
Jehovah's Witnesses, the Associated Jehova's [sic]
Witnesses for Reform on Blood (AJWRB), announced,
it has not been approved the use of fractions of
any of the primary blood components.
Watchtower Blood Policy Changes Again
http://ajwrb.org/basics/change.shtml
the Watchtower, June 15, 2000, p. 31, says:
"[...] when it comes to fractions of any of the primary components, eachBy saying this, they have allowed Jehovah's Witnesses to accept
Christian, after careful and prayerful meditation, must conscientiously
decide for himself."
(Scans here: http://www.jwfiles.com/blood-WT6-15-00.htm )
fractions of any of the primary components, thus approving the
practice.
Shame on the journalist and on the lying representative from the
Watchtower Hospital (dis)Information Service, who said: "What
changed was science". Yeah, right!
I only hope this newspaper article is not read by any Jehovah's
Witness who is in a life or death situation and wondering if the
Society now allows the use of fractions of any of the primary blood
components.
If a Jehovah's Witness reads these words:
Contrary to what an association of reformisthe might get the wrong impression that the Society has not changed
Jehovah's Witnesses, the Associated Jehova's [sic]
Witnesses for Reform on Blood (AJWRB), announced,
it has not been approved the use of fractions of
any of the primary blood components.
"What changed was science", explains Pedro Candeias.
This director of the Hospital Information Services
of Jehovah's Witnesses [...]
its position and still prohibits fractions from the primary blood
components, when in reality that is no longer the case!
On the positive side, Jehovah's Witnesses reading the newspaper
will know that there are "reformist Jehovah's Witnesses, the
Associated Jehova's [sic] Witnesses for Reform on Blood (AJWRB)",
and may search and find AJWRB site.