Moral Concerns 

1.The use of animals is seen as species-ism or tyranny of man over animals.

2. Any unnecessary animal suffering must be prevented.

3. Genetic modifications that could significantly alter the biodiversity and the balance of the species in the animal world must be avoided.

4. Any decision concerning clinical development of the new therapy can be only based uupon hypothesis.

5.The effects on the offspring and possible repercussions for the environment should be considered.

6.The removal of organs and/or tissues must take place during a single surgical operation.

7. If a patient incapable of giving valid consent should find himself in an unforeseen situation where there is danger of imminent death, recourse may be made to a legal representative , provided that the procedures to be used offer a reasonable hope of benefit for the patient.

 

Theological Concerns (Catholicism) 

 

"By what right can humans, whom God created,  intervene in the created order, perhaps even modifying some of its aspects? What criteria must be adopted and what limitations must be introduced?" (4)

 

1. Humans must answer to the Creator for the manner in which they treat animals.

2. Man should not meddle in the created order.

3. John Paul II (Address to the Eighteenth International Congress of the Transplant Society, 29 August 2000, n. 7), "The transplanted organ does not affect the psychological or genetic identity of the person who receives it" and "that there exists the proven biological possibility of carrying out such a transplant with success, without exposing the recipient to excessive risks".

4. The number of animals used in these experiments should be kept to a bare minimum.

 

 

 

 

 

 Health Concerns

1. There is a possibility that the body may reject the transplanted organ.

2. Due to the immunosuppressive therapies, infection may occur.

3.  To prevent the epidemic spread of an infection, one may have to place the patient in quarantine.

4.During the experimental phase of clinical trials, patients should also agree not to procreate because of the possible risk of genetic recombination that could affect the patient's germ cells.

5. Sexual abstinence might be necessary to avoid the venereal transmission of possible viruses.

6. The patient must  be informed about the need to remain under medical supervision for the rest of his/her life, so that the necessary constant monitoring following the transplant may be carried out.

7. Should society have protections against diseases that might leap from animals to people—such as requiring informed-consent not just from xenotransplant patients but also from families and associates? (5) 

 The un-cited information found on this page has been compiled from Citation (4) .

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