If a cell from that pig were put in a human the extra protein should fool the body's defence mechanism into

If a cell from that pig were put in a human, the extra protein should fool the body's defence mechanism into treating the cell like one of its own. Pigs were chosen because their organic make-up is surprisingly similar to that of humans.Mr Wallwork says that no patient would be given a pig organ without their informed consent. Dr David White, director of research for Imutran, says that the moral question of using animals purely for organ donation has already been dealt with. "We have been using insulin from pigs to treat humans for generations We have been using heart valves from pigs for years I don't think a moral question can be tissue-specific. You can't accept a pig's heart valve but not the heart." Mr Sadler adds, "If it were you, how would you feel about the choice between staying on the waiting list or helping science?"However, the Government has announced that it is setting up an ethics committee to examine the issue. It will be chaired by Ian Kennedy, who is professor of medical law and ethics at King's College, London. One of Imutran's biggest worries is the possibility of the transfer of viruses or disease from pigs to humans.

"We have pulled together a large group of experts in pig disease to check on this. We will make sure that the pigs are free of pathogens and won't transmit disease to patients," said Dr White.The British Heart Foundation said the results seemed "another encouraging step", while the National Kidney Foundation said it viewed the news with "cautious enthusiasm". Michael Thick, transplant consultant at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, said: "The transplant community is waiting with bated breath for the results of the clinical trials.". Jack Straw yesterday sought to soften and qualify his controversial attack on the "winos, addicts and squeegee merchants" that make up urban street life following the widespread criticism it provoked. Instead, he blamed unemployment, especially among young under-skilled males, as being the "single most powerful factor in community breakdown", saying Labour's priority was first to tackle unemployment and the underlying social and economic inequalities which breed crime. The shadow Home Secretary, speaking in Oxford at a Howard League conference, "The Penal System in Crisis", did not recant from his aim to "reclaim the streets for law-abiding citizens" or from his belief in the link between disorder and crime. However he said that tough police action "indiscriminately sweeping people off the street would be neither an effective nor a humane response".If last week's speech was condemned for being long on "tough on crime" rhetoric and short on "tough on the causes" substance, yesterday's was designed to fill the gap.Clearly designed to soothe ruffled feathers among traditional Labour supporters who saw the speech as an attack on the poorest and most vulnerable in society, Mr Straw promised a four-pronged attack on the causes of crime.

Cutting unemployment and in particular youth unemployment would be at the heart of Labour's economic policy.Mr Straw added that freeing local authorities to provide affordable public housing will be central to Labour's aims to tackle the homelessness. Labour would look to provide both "dry" and "wet" hostels - where addicts can continue to drink, to encourage them off the streets - as well as better treatment facilities. It would also overhaul community care provision for the mentally ill.Only then did he resume last week's theme and language, saying the community has a right to expect more responsible and less anti-social behaviour from all of its citizens. "That means less intimidation, bullying and loutish behaviour on the streets," he said.It is not surprising that Mr Straw chose his speech to pour oil on troubled waters.

The reform lobby is among his biggest critics, suggesting that sensible policy is being sacrificed as he and Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, try to beseen as the "toughest" on crime.He also attacked the Crown Prosecution Service over its handling of the Stephen Lawrence murder case. The Lawrence family brought their own prosecution after the CPS had decided not to proceed.. Rustlers were in for a colourful shock when they made off with a flock of John Harkin's sheep. Mr Harkin, who has more than 3,000 sheep at his farm in Donemana, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland, covered them in orange dye to combat the rustlers. The colour was applied after the problem had reached crisis point."Over the years I have lost upwards of 300 sheep to the rustlers.