Position paper of the Ethics Committee of the International Xenotransplantation Association.
Xenotransplantation (XTx) provides a potential solution to the shortage of human organs and tissues, and has several advantages over other possible solutions to this problem. However, a number of scientific and ethical barriers exist, and need to be addressed in order to advance the field of XTx in a manner that optimizes its potential to benefit society and minimizes its risk. Some of the most pressing ethical issues are discussed, and the position of the Ethics Committee of the International Xenotransplantation Association is presented.
Sykes
Megan
M
Transplantation Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02129, USA. megan.sykes@tbrc.mgh.harvard.edu
d'Apice
Anthony
A
Sandrin
Mauro
M
D017087:Animal Rights; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D012958:Societies, Scientific / Q000941:ethics*; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000941:ethics*