Xenotransplantation: a bioethical evaluation.
Allograft shortage is a formidable obstacle in organ transplantation. Xenotransplantation, the interspecies transplantation of cells, tissues, and organs, or ex vivo interspecies exchange between cells, tissues, and organs is a frequently suggested alternative to this allograft shortage. As xenotransplantation steadily improves into a viable allotransplantation alternative, several bioethical considerations coalesce. Such considerations include the Helsinki declaration's guarantee of patients' rights to privacy; political red tape that may select for undermined socioeconomic groups as the first recipients of xenografts; industry incentives in xenotransplantation investments; conflicts of interest when a clinician supervises a patient as a research subject; the psychosocial impact of transplantation on the xenograft recipient, and the rights of animals. This review illuminates these issues through a conglomeration of expert opinion and relevant experimental studies.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 12617 Netherhall Dr, Charlotte, NC 28269, USA. mganders@uncc.edu
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M
Anderson
D017087:Animal Rights; D000818:Animals; D026688:Bioethical Issues; D003219:Confidentiality; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007449:Investments / Q000191:economics; D009042:Motivation; D028701:Patient Rights; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous / Q000191:economics / Q000941:ethics* / Q000523:psychology