The Social Aspects of Xenotransplantation

Cook, PS

doi:10.1111/soc4.12022

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Several recent advances in XTx research, particularly those associated with genetic engineering of the organ source pig, may be particularly applicable in the neonatal population whose immune system is immature. 4 While most work in XTx has been focused on its scientific and ethical aspects, 5,6 to our knowledge, no known studies have addressed the attitudes to XTx among surgeons/physicians who care for patients in need of cardiac transplantation. Physician engagement is particularly important, as their support for a particular procedure is crucial to patients’ medical decision-making and care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes to Cardiac Xenotransplantation by Pediatric Heart Surgeons and Physicians

Padilla

Sorabella

Carlo

et al. 2020

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg

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Background: Cardiac transplantation in early childhood is limited by scarcity of organ donors. Advances in cardiac xenotransplantation (XTx) research suggest that xenografts may one day represent an alternative to allografts. We sought to determine the attitudes among surgeons and cardiologists in the field of pediatric cardiac transplantation toward the potential use of XTx if this clinical option were to become a reality. Methods: A Likert-scale anonymous survey addressing the use of XTx in pediatric patients was sent to members of the Congenital Heart Surgeons (CHS) Society and the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society. Results were described and compared between the two surgeon/physician groups. Results: Ninety-two CHS and 42 pediatric transplant cardiologists (PTC) responded (N = 134). The potential acceptance of XTx was high in both groups, assuming risks and results were similar to those of cardiac allotransplantation (88% CHS vs 81% PTC; P = .07). When asked if they would recommend a xenograft, if the results were anticipated to be inferior to those of cardiac allotransplantation, as a bridge to a human heart, potential acceptance fell dramatically but remained higher among CHS than PTC (41% vs 17%, p 0.02). Approximately only one-third of CHS and half of PTC preferred primary cardiac XTx for hypoplastic left heart syndrome if there was no waitlist time and had similar outcomes to allotransplantation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that potential acceptance of XTx by CHS and PTC would not be a major barrier if XTx demonstrated similar outcomes to allotransplantation. Acceptance by other congenital heart stakeholders remains to be investigated.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes to Cardiac Xenotransplantation by Pediatric Heart Surgeons and Physicians

Padilla

Sorabella

Carlo

et al. 2020

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg

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“…There are concerns that some societies will oppose pig-to-human xenotransplantation because of religious and cultural aspects [ 140 ]. Moreover, there is a probability that the use of organs from modified pigs, in some countries, may lead to a global trend of reducing the number of human transplants for altruistic reasons [ 141 ]. At this moment, we are unable to predict the reaction of society to a person carrying an animal organ.…”

Section: Xenotransplantationmentioning

confidence: 99%

CRISPR/Cas Technology in Pig-to-Human Xenotransplantation Research

Ryczek

Hryhorowicz

Zeyland

et al. 2021

IJMS

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CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats linked to Cas nuclease) technology has revolutionized many aspects of genetic engineering research. Thanks to it, it became possible to study the functions and mechanisms of biology with greater precision, as well as to obtain genetically modified organisms, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic. The changes introduced by the CRISPR/Cas system are based on the repair paths of the single or double strand DNA breaks that cause insertions, deletions, or precise integrations of donor DNA. These changes are crucial for many fields of science, one of which is the use of animals (pigs) as a reservoir of tissues and organs for xenotransplantation into humans. Non-genetically modified animals cannot be used to save human life and health due to acute immunological reactions resulting from the phylogenetic distance of these two species. This review is intended to collect and summarize the advantages as well as achievements of the CRISPR/Cas system in pig-to-human xenotransplantation research. In addition, it demonstrates barriers and limitations that require careful evaluation before attempting to experiment with this technology.

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“…To demonstrate the xenotransplantation paradox (that is, 'nonhuman animals are the same as humans but different') I begin reviewing research on patient, health professional and public attitudes that have consistently demonstrated negativity towards xenotransplantation ( Appel III, Alwayn, and Cooper 2000 ; Bona et al 2004 ; Brown 1999 ; Brown and Michael 2004 ; Butler 1998 ; Canova et al 2006 ; Conesa et al 2006 ; Cook 2013 ; Fovargue 2007 ; Hagelin 2004 ; Lundin 2002 ; Lundin and Idvall 2003 ; Lundin and Widner 2000 ; Macer et al 2002 ; Martinez-Alarcon et al 2005 ; Michael and Brown 2004 ; Mohacsi et al 1995 ; Mohacsi et al 1997 ; Mohacsi, Thompson, and Quine 1998 ; Persson et al 2003 ; Rios et al 2007 ; Sanner 2005 ; Schlitt et al 1999 ). At present, pigs are thought to be an ideal source for transplantation into humans as their internal organs are similar in size to humans but this is not often identified as the organ donor host in previous research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Dirty pigs’ and the xenotransplantation paradox

Haddow

2021

Med Humanities

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For almost the last 300 years human beings have sought to use organs from non-human animals to repair or replace their own failing organs. This procedure of intraspecies transplant is called xenotransplantation, and despite the continued attempts by researchers, it is yet to be successful. Experiments in xenotransplantation persist, however, partly based on the perceived biological similarities that exist between humans and non-human animals despite the success of xenotransplantation being hampered by the ability of the human body’s immune system to attack and therefore reject foreign material. In this article, I explore the sociocultural reactions to xenotransplantation which demonstrates that it is based on a paradox; although non-human animals and humans are thought to be biologically compatible or similar, many assume and emphasise just how different we are from non-human animals. These two positions of ‘same but different’ are arguably incompatible. I begin by reviewing social science research that demonstrates, despite some variation, a range of persistent concerns towards xenotransplantation including the consequences for personal identity should a person receive a non-human animal organ. I add to this body of work, findings from a mixed-method study involving focus groups and a representative survey with young adults to show that most people prefer to have their organs replaced by materials from their own body and non-human animals the least. These reactions sit within a broader context of a 'wisdom of repugnance' that is brought into existence when our classifications of what is thought to be natural or not is threatened.

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The Social Aspects of Xenotransplantation

Cited by 10 publications

References 57 publications

Attitudes to Cardiac Xenotransplantation by Pediatric Heart Surgeons and Physicians

Attitudes to Cardiac Xenotransplantation by Pediatric Heart Surgeons and Physicians

CRISPR/Cas Technology in Pig-to-Human Xenotransplantation Research

‘Dirty pigs’ and the xenotransplantation paradox

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