Pig organs for transplantation into humans: a Jewish view.
In view of the shortage of human organs for transplantation, intense interest has focused on the use of pig organs. Although the early rejection of pig organs by a human recipient has not yet been overcome, scientists are actively seeking to solve this problem. If and when xenotransplantation from pigs or other animals becomes scientifically feasible, Judaism will look with favor upon this procedure to prolong or save the life of a human being who is ill or dying from organ failure. Although Jewish law forbids Jews to raise or eat pigs, no such prohibition exists for the use of pigs to cure human illness or to save human lives by xenotransplantation.
Rosner
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Queens Hospital Center, 82-68 164th Street, Jamaica, NY 11432, USA.
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007599:Judaism; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D013552:Swine; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous