The Ethics of Xenotransplantation Essay -- Morals Science Biology Essa

The Ethics of xenotransplant1. Introduction to XenotransplantationXenotransplantation is the process of taking cells, parts of organs, or even whole organs from one species of wildcat, and implanting them into another species. The FDA has given their own definition of xenotransplantation which they say is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation, or infusion into a human recipient of either live cells, tissues, or organs from a non human animal source, or human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that down had ex vivo contact with live non human animal cells, tissues or organs. The main interest of the practice is to be able to take organs from animals for the purpose of exploitation them in humans in need of organ transplants. It is still a relatively new medical phenomena, with documented cases of the practice only taking positioning since 1906.2. The CaseThe case at hand is whether or not we should use xenotransplantation in humans. It is a rather c ontroversial topic that has brought up vehement feelings in parties on both sides of the argument. One of the main arguments of the people who are for xenotransplantation is that there is a large shortage of organs available for transplant, and that animal organs could provide enough spares to satiate the need. A recent figure given by the FDA is that currently 13 people die per day in the U.S. because of the lack of organs available for transplant. Meanwhile, one of the arguments of those people against xenotransplantation stems from animal rights. Some people feel that it is wrong to use animals in such a way and that there is a great potential for animal abuse.A marker to the seriousness of the current need for donor organs is that ac... ...an. 1998. <http//wedge.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/health/012198/health5_26375_noframes.html3. coupled Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). U.S. Facts about Transplantation. Nov. 2000. <http//www.unos.org/Newsroom/critdata_main.htm4. K oshal, Arvind. Ethics Issues in Xenotransplantation. University of Alberta. 1993? <http//www.ualberta.ca/ethics/bb6-3xen.htm5. Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. FDA Approach to the Regulation of Xenotransplantation. 19 Oct. 2000. <http//www.fda.gov/cber/xap/xap.htm6. National Academy Press. Xenotransplantation Science, Ethics, and Public Policy. 1996. <http//www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/xeno/7. Michaels, Marian. Defining the Risks and the Risk Reduction Strategies. 27 Feb. 1998. <http//hivinsite.ucsf.edu/topics/xenotransplantation/2098.3896.html