Is Europe ready for xenotransplantation?

Matthias Kaiser (), Penilla Gunther, Ellen-Marie Forsberg, Vasiliki Mollaki, Espen Rimstad and Ana Marusic
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Matthias Kaiser: University of Bergen
Penilla Gunther: European Cancer Organisation
Ellen-Marie Forsberg: Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS)
Vasiliki Mollaki: National Commission for Bioethics and Technoethics
Espen Rimstad: Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Ana Marusic: University of Split School of Medicine

Palgrave Communications, 2024, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-4

Abstract: This comment addresses recent advancements in xenotransplantation research, which suggest that new types of transplants could become possible soon. It argues that the ethical concerns surrounding xenotransplantation in humans are particularly complex. These concerns go beyond the traditional medical ethics of informed consent and patient care, or balancing patient risks against benefits. The potential risk of xenosis—diseases transmitted from animals to humans—makes xenotransplantation a broader issue, one that relates to public health. The key question is whether the reduced risks of xenosis can justify the possibility of detrimental consequences, such as a pandemic. It is argued that these concerns should not be limited to expert discussions but should engage the wider public through a broad debate involving all sectors of society. Emerging technologies, such as gene editing, amplify the need for such ethical discussions. Have these new technologies made xenotransplantation safer and more acceptable? Now is the time for public dialogue on this complex issue.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-04126-7

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