Xenotransplantation: baboons as potential liver donors? Scientific and ethical issues.
The dramatic development of liver transplantation compared to a relative shortage of donors has brought a renewed interest to xenotransplantation. Because of anatomical and immunological compatibilities, nonhuman primates are the most appropriate donors. The aim of this work was to analyze the different problems of a baboon-to-man liver xenotransplantation. Thirty baboons bred in a French Primatology Center were studied. The analysis of anatomical, microbiological, and immunological data showed that only 8 baboons out of 30 were suitable as donors for xenotransplantation. Considering these data and the ethical issues, the actual feasibility of xenotransplantation programs is discussed.
Groupe de Recherche de Chirurgie Hépatique, Hopital Paul Brousse, UER Kremlin Bicêtre, Villejuif, France.
L
L
Chiche
R
R
Adam
S
S
Caillat-Zucman
D
D
Castaing
J F
JF
Bach
H
H
Bismuth
D000818:Animals; D004989:Ethics; D028741:Ethics Committees, Clinical; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010215:Papio / Q000276:immunology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013045:Species Specificity; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous