The Development, Ethical Controversies, and Importance of Xenotransplantation

The Development, Ethical Controversies, and Importance of Xenotransplantation

Alvin Sherman Library

Xenotransplantation, the use of animal organs in human patients, is one of the newest developments in allotransplantation (Chisholm-Burns, 2024). Due to genetic similarities, pig livers and hearts could be used in patients waiting for a transplant. While these organs seem like the perfect solution, the organs must still be genetically altered to be used in human patients. Scholars like Thom et al (2023) explain how specific genes must be added to or removed from the pig’s genome to make the organs suitable for human transplants. While the idea seems to be a positive way to shorten the list of those awaiting a transplant, there are still potential concerns with this procedure. The pigs needed for these experiments would need to be kept in an isolated facility to diminish the transference of diseases. Due to the separation between the environment and other pigs, there is concern for the pig’s quality of life leading up to their deaths (Rodger et al., 2024). The isolation and consistent testing to be performed on the animals is controversial in society.

This poster presentation will afford my audience with a broader understanding of this topic. I want to explain the continuous progress of this procedure, as well as the ethical controversy associated with it. My goal is to get students and teachers to acknowledge how important xenotransplantation is to the future of medicine, as well as why this topic is crucial to be included in education. I hope this poster encourages discussion and spreads awareness of the significance of xenotransplantation.