<<If synthetic human surfactant is superior to any alternatives, I'm sure it will rapidly take market share. If it isn't equal to alternatives, then it faces an uphill battle that it will not win (neonatologists by and large keep up with the literature and they will not be swayed by marketing if there isn't the data to back it up).>>
I don't get your logic..if it's superiour, so shouldn't the argument proceed with, "if it's not superiour then no.."
or.."if it shows equivalency to alternatives, then____ ,if it isn't equal to alternatives, it faces an uphill battle..."
<<There is a clear preference for animal surfacts over synthetic (exosurf).
>>
What is the source of your information to make a decisive statement?
<<I don't know if there is any significant chemical difference between the animal and human form of surfactant.>>
Without even looking at the literature, that's like saying one doesn't know if there's a difference between cow's milk and human milk?..
<<My guess would be that the basic composition of the surfactant is very similar, and that of the protein is not as similar, but not as dissimilar as to generate an immune response>>
I lost you there..
<<Consider, for example, the possibility that the surfactant needs of a premature infant are different than an adult. Perhaps they are more similar to that of an adult pig than that of an adult human.>>>
I really lost you there..the point?
To clarify..my point is that animal-based products cannot be the same as human based products..but our technology/know-how first allowed us to make them from animals but with the notion that it's not the ideal..The surfactants we're discussing started testing in the '80s and came to market in the 90's..we've come a long way since then..esp. neonatology..
<<(neonatologists by and large keep up with the literature and they will not be swayed by marketing if there isn't the data to back it up>>>
Neonatologists are the ones who are in the thick of these innovations/trials..it is they who advanced the field such that a baby born at 26 weeks gestation has a real chance to not only survive but also thrive..something barely conceivable only 25 years ago, whereas, other areas of medicine are stuck in neutral...And neonatologists are concentrated in metropolitan cities here in the US and with the last 15 years of merger and aquisitions of hospitals, their knowledge, staff reach out into the sprawling suburbs, exurbs..they are involved in research together, share knowldege[edit: share knowledge more than other disciplines] since it's such an 'orphan' specialty, so to speak..
I have a feeling you're being stubborn and want to be right<g>
Zeta |
