Russian scientists considering animal-to-human transplants

Moscow, Mar 12 (UNI) Russian specialists are studying the possibility of animal-to-human transplants, organ cloning and the creation of hybrid organs.

''We are currently working on the possibility of xenotransplantation, which is transplantation of organs from animals to humans. We are also studying the possibility of cloning organs and creating hybrid organs,'' Director of the Russian Scientific Research Institute of Transplantation and Artificial Organs Valery Shumakov said today at a news conference on the 20th anniversary of the first heart transplant in the country.

''So far, we have achieved some definitive results, but we cannot disclose any details,'' RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Shumakov as saying.

He said the main problem with transplantations had been chronic under-funding and a shortage of personnel.

Mr Shumakov's Institute performs transplant operations free of charge for Russians, but foreigners have to pay for them.

UNI