Medical triumph, porcine nightmare

When you hear Richard the Lionhearted, you know that a metaphor is at work, that the reference is not to a specimen of Panthera leo named Richard. But when we are told about Maryland, US, resident David the Pighearted, it would be a mistake to imagine a David with an insatiable appetite and a penchant for rollicking in the mud. David Bennett was given a new heart three days ago, the organ having been taken from a pig. David is a metaphor for medical triumph, the appellation, Pighearted, a literal description of his cordial disposition. It has long been speculated that pigs would yield several human organs. Pig kidneys have been grafted into human bodies twice already, and the recipients have survived for a couple of months so far.

To the uninformed, common meat-eater, a pig yields ham, bacon, spar ribs, loin, side, shoulder, trotters and head. Those minded to do a little research will know that the first insulin used to treat a diabetic patient was derived from a pig and that assorted chemicals used in vaccines and medicines are formulated from different organs of the pig. These range from gelatine and anti-coagulants to digestive supplements and immunoglobulins. The three little pigs were clever enough to beat the Big, Bad Wolf. But when it comes to humans, they can only despair: if only pigs had wings.