Use of pigs for xenotransplantation: the speciesism by proxy syndrome.
BACKGROUND
When questioning whether it is acceptable to use pigs as sources of xenografts, focus easily shifts to demonstrations that it is more acceptable to exploit pigs rather than primates. Both practical and ethical reasons against the use of primates do not stand when applied to the use of pigs. Consequently, use of pigs is held to be justified.


METHODS
In this paper, I examine the weaknesses that shelter within three ethical arguments commonly rehearsed in defense of choosing the pig as source animal: (a) that the use of pigs for human purposes is embedded in a long tradition; (b) that pigs are not an endangered species; and (c) that they do not share the cognitive and emotional capacities with humans to the same extent that primates do.


RESULTS
All of the arguments rest on presumptions that are themselves in need of further discussion or clarification.


CONCLUSIONS
Other approaches are necessary in justifying use of pigs as sources of xenografts.
Ravelingien
An
A
Center for Environmental Philosophy and Bioethics, Department of Philosophy, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. an.ravelingien@ugent.be
D017087:Animal Rights; D000818:Animals; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D006801:Humans; D013552:Swine; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000941:ethics*