A Study on the attitudes of the researchers toward the bioethical issues related to xenotransplantation*

Abstract

In response to the shortage of human organs for transplantation, xenotransplantation is considered as one of the alternatives. In Korea, the xenotransplantation research began at 2002. But xenotransplantation raises a few of bioethical issues: the ethical legitimacy of xenotransplantation research, the ethics of animal experiments, and the problems of the clinical trial. In 2004 we administered a survey to find out the perceptions and attitudes of the researchers participated in xenotransplantation research toward some bioethical issues related to such research. We received 40 responses and analyzed the data. This survey showed that all of the respondents answered that xenotransplantation research is ethically legitimate. But 'very much legitimate'(43.6%) is little lower than 'some legitimate'(56.4%). In related to the ethics of animal experiments, this survey showed some meaningful results: the establishment of Animal Experiment Committee, the need to regular education about animal experiment guideline, the need and justness of transgenic animal and primates recipients etc. In relation to the clinical trial, this survey showed the researchers are very prudent and cautious. They agree to clinical test after 90% safety guaranteed in animal experiments. But they show a favourable response to xenotransplantation if the safety and effectiveness of xenotransplantation is guaranteed.