Xenotransplantation

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Xenotransplantation

• Ethics and the Pro/Con Controversy
• By Amanda Anderson

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Background information

• Xenotransplantation- transplant of tissues or
  organs from one species to another.
  
• Dates back to 1501 when first procedure was
  performed.
  
• First xenotransfusion was performed in 1665 on 15
  yr old male from a lamb. Success!

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Cont History

• Charles-Edouard Brown-Sequard injected his
  testicles with crushed dog and guinea pig
  testicles to restore his strength and
  capacities..
• James Hardey, Mississippi,USA, was the first
  physician to transplant a heart from one species
  to another in 1964. Pt died 90 min later.
  
• 1/13/64 23 yr old woman received a kidney
  transplant from a chimp. Lived for 9 mo. Longest
  living xeno recipient.

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Ethics of the Public

• Public would like to see problem in organ
  shortage decrease
  
• Half the public surveyed voted against
  xenotransplantation-for animal rights
  
• Public does not like idea of controlled sanitary
  environment for animals to live in

5
Ethics of Scientists

• Scientists see xenotransplantation as a way to
  progress in the medical field with the goal of
  preventing death
  
• Some scientists believe the sacrifice of the
  animal is more of an advantage to society than
  being pro animal rights.

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Pros of Xenotransplantation

• Animal organs would decrease the shortage of
  organ transplants needed every year for humans
  
• Thousands of lives would be either saved or
  prolonged.
  
• Society would be one step closer to the secrets
  of life.

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Cons of Xenotransplantation

• Risks of diseases transferred from animal to
  humans
  
• Immuniosuppressants cause other vital organs to
  fail
  
• Raising animals in captivity
• Uncertainty of the outcome

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Conclusion

• Society is torn on their opinions about
  xenotransplantation
  
• Scientists believe xenotransplantation will be a
  solution to the organ shortage in the near
  future
  
• Public is concerned about animal well-being
• Are we stumbling into forbidden knowledge?