A study of the attitude of Latin‐American residents in Spain toward organ xenotransplantation

Abstract

Latin Americans who usually reside in Spain have a more negative attitude toward xenotransplantation than the native Spanish population, and their attitude is affected by many psychosocial factors, mainly related to previous attitude toward the different types of human organ donation.

Acceptance of organ xenotransplantation among Latin American immigrants resident in the United States

“…In the LA population, no studies have been carried out in their countries of origin to compare our results with . A study has been undertaken about the LA population that emigrated to Spain , carried out by our research group. In this sense, the project that has been presented in this study is part of a more general project, in which a validated questionnaire (PCID—XenoTx Rios) has been used, and which is being carried out in several countries and population groups.…”

“…Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire of attitude toward xenotransplantation (“PCID—XenoTx Rios”: Questionnaire of Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante about Xenotransplantation developed by Dr. Ríos) . This questionnaire included 31 items distributed in four subscales, and it was validated in the Spanish population: (i) transplant origins (8 items), (ii) consequences (10 items), (iii) associated risks (7 items), and (iv) transmission of infections (6 items).…”

“…However, before it is applied, it is important to find out how this therapy would be accepted socially, above all in light of the appearance of xenozoonosis (avian flu, etc.) in humans in recent years . This is especially important in those countries in which there are preclinical liver xenotransplantation projects , and therefore, where there is a chance of a xenotransplanted organ acting as a bridge for a human.…”

“…in humans in recent years . This is especially important in those countries in which there are preclinical liver xenotransplantation projects , and therefore, where there is a chance of a xenotransplanted organ acting as a bridge for a human. Taking into account that the social situation is changing in countries such as the USA, where there has been a considerable inward migratory flow in recent years, we are seeing an important increase in the number of non‐national patients on the transplant waiting lists.…”

An overview of the role of society and risk in xenotransplantation

“…Also, the concept of “public knowledge” applies today to both “knowledge about the public” (what institutions know about the public) and to “what the public know” (knowledge coming from the public). While the former meaning is still used in contexts where public attitudes towards new technologies need to be explored , the attention is primarily focused on the latter meaning: people's knowledge (local knowledge, lay expertise) as a relevant cognitive source in the decision‐making process.…”