Animals Both Help and Hurt Human Health

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These days there is a constant stream of promising health related studies using animals, many of which have great potential for curing human diseases.  One recent study involved using pig cells to reverse diabetes in monkeys.  Diabetic monkeys were injected with pig islet cells, which make insulin, and survived without insulin shots for up to six months.  Although some of the monkeys eventually rejected the cell transplants, the results indicated that cells could successfully cross species lines and control diabetes.

The other side of the coin in the animal human health relationship is the increasing number of animal diseases now affecting humans.  Researchers have documented thirty eight illnesses that have made the jump from animals to humans in the past twenty five years.

There are around fifteen hundred different pathogens- viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi that can create health problems for humans.  Over half of these come from animals.  About a hundred and seventy five pathogens have emerged or re-emerged recently.

Every year, one or two new pathogens, or variations of existing threats, infect humans for the first time.  Recent advances in the spread of the H5N1 ‘bird flu' virus, and the associated worries about a ‘bird flu' pandemic spreading from chickens, ducks and other poultry, has increased our concern.

So next time you're thankful for the help animals give us, remember that, like so much in life, there is a downside.