Develop medical research in Jamaica
Published:Monday | March 7, 2022 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the world has suffered immeasurably. During this period, there have been outstanding medical breakthroughs that will ensure that the way medicine is practised will never be the same. It was a proud moment for the scientific community in October 2021 when United States (US) surgeon Dr Robert Montgomery and his team successfully transplanted genetically modified pig kidneys into a human for the first time.
This was followed by the first genetically modified pig heart transplant into a human on January 11. This surgery was preformed by Dr Bartley Griffith and his team from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. David Bennett, who was the recipient of the pig’s heart, did not qualify for a human transplant and would have died, but is alive today because of a pig’s heart. While the use of pig’s heart will raise several ethical and religious concerns, these scientific advances should be celebrated, replicated and improved upon in Jamaica. This revolution will allow patients in the future to walk into a pharmacy with prescriptions for organs, instead of waiting in vain for a human organ.
Jamaica has proven that it can produce world-class music and athletes, to name a few. The only thing preventing us from dominating medical sciences is the lack of organisation and funding.
I am urging the Government to recruit biological scientists, especially medical technologists, to receive advanced training in biotechnology in countries that are leading in biological research. After completing their studies, these students can work for the government service in laboratories equipped with the necessary machinery and reagents. If this is done consistently, the fruits of their research will ensure we have a healthier population as well as intellectual property that could finance our Budget and reduce dependence on traditional sectors. In case you think this is wishful thinking, never forget that Professor Lawrence Williams was offered $11 billion for cancer research patent for a compound in the guinea hen weed.
JESSE JAMES CLARKE
Junior Shadow Minister on Health and Wellness