Abstract
Stoye replies — On the basis of analogies between P elements and retroviruses, Langley and Charlesworth suggest that one potential risk associated with xenotransplantation is a form of insertional mutagenesis resulting from germline integrations by retroviruses derived from endogenous proviruses in the engrafted organs. I agree that these elements are potentially hazardous, but I am not convinced that the threat posed by this form of genomic bombardmentis great enough to figure significantly in risk-benefit analysis of xenotransplantation. Rather, the much greater risk is that posed by these elements acting as infectious agents of disease.
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Stoye, J. Endogenous proviruses as “mementos”?. Nature 388, 840 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/42172
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/42172
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