Xenotransplantation: Article Analysis
Xenotransplantation: Article Analysis
Xenotransplantation involves the transfer of organs, tissues, or cells from animals to humans. The practice has been a point of focus for years. Several experiments and studies are being done in an effort to make it as safe and beneficial to human beings as possible. It began due to the need to supplement and provide an alternative to human organ transplantation. However, there are health, ethical, legal and cultural implications that must be considered. The paper explores the topic through a focus on its definition, a summary of the article, and an analysis of my views concerning the article and practice of xenotransplantation.
Xenotransplantation
According to the FDA (2016), it involves the transfer, infusion, or implantation of tissue, cells, or organs from an animal to a human. It also refers to the transfer of human body cells, fluids, organs or tissue that had ex vivo contact with live animal cells, tissue, or organs. The procedure was developed to address the low supply of human organs from donors. In the USA, 10 people die daily on the waiting list for organs. Effective use of the procedure would reduce the number of such deaths globally. However, if not researched and developed properly, the procedure presents the risk of infecting patients with both known and unknown infectious agents (Groth, 2007). Furthermore, the infections may be contagious and spread across the population. The risks present the need for special regulation of xenotransplantation nationally and internationally. The development of standards adequately addressing the value and consequences of the procedure is crucial.
Article Summary
The article by Dener (2014) explores the progress of xenotransplantation and some of the challenges it faces. It highlights the need for more donor organs in dealing with cases of severe tissue damage and organ failure. For instance, there are over 10,000 people on the waiting list for donor organs in Germany; 25% of them are likely to die while on the list. The problem can be addressed through the effective use of organs from donor animals (pigs). However, the author highlights three main risks to address in order to realize the economic and physiological benefits of the practice.
Rejection- this can be caused by immune reactions and coagulation dysfunction. The initial and most destructive form of rejection is the Hyperacute Rejection (HAR). It can be overcome through genetic modification of the pig. The second is Acute Vascular Rejection (AVR) which also occurs in allotransplants.
Physiological incompatibility of the tissues, cells, and organs- there are limited studies; these are likely to increase only if the xenotransplantation subjects survive for longer periods. Challenges are evident in the physiological differences between human and pig organs; position, size, body orientation, and regulation of functions through hormones among others.
Microbiological risk- there are strategies developed to reduce the transmission of several porcine microorganisms. There are several parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses that are a risk to the patient. The situation is worsened by the use of strong pharmaceutical immunosuppression on the patient.
Concerning the ethical aspect, the author highlighted that xenotransplantation was progressing from the lab to the clinic. In consideration of ethics, the new technology would only be used if proven to be effective and safe for human beings. The protection of human life and the environment is paramount. Some of the regulatory issues to be accommodated will include; the criteria for patient enrollment; informed consent; ethical management of safety measures; rights and obligations of third parties; and animal use. The article highlights the possibility of patients being infected by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs); this followed a look at how detrimental the occurrence of the HIV/AIDS pandemic was. However, the author noted that the ethical concerns were minimal following results of the experiments. The first clinical xenotransplantation and experimental settings revealed no transmission of PERVs. Additionally, pigs are a valuable source of protein across the world. An extensive screening of the animals to identify those with low PERVs expression is vital. It should be done alongside other preventive strategies to limit the spread of PERVs.
An overall view of the article depicts the several benefits xenotransplantation has over allotransplantation. It is an effective way of dealing with organ shortage. Through careful planning, experts involved can ensure the organs are well characterized, in good status, and have limited risks. However, a lot of progress still needs to be made in dealing with the issues of physiological compatibility, rejection, and microbiological safety.
Following an analysis of the article, it is evident that xenotransplantation presents an opportunity for dealing with the shortage of human organs for those who need them. However, it is vital to comprehend the risks it poses to the health of the patients, others, and the environment. If this is not done, we may end up with the spread of some unknown infections that could wipe out millions such as in the case of HIV (Simon & Jansen, 2008). The experts should engage in intensive studies and experiments to eliminate the infection risk and likelihood of complications. The procedure should only be done on humans once it has been perfected through several studies.
Through public education, people should be made aware of the challenges, progress being made, and the potential benefits of the procedure. For instance, enabling the availability of a large supply of organs will ensure the prevention of death on waiting lists. The procedure will also provide a way around some cultural laws against the donation of human organs to other humans. There will be no more need to remove organs from human donors. Genetic engineering also allows the elimination of some sources of infection from the animal before transplantation of its tissue into a human being. It facilitates access to exogenous infection-free organs, tissues, and cells.
The debate on the ethical nature of xenotransplantation still has a lot of skepticism. Through sharing information with the public on how the procedure works and can save lives would help in dealing with skepticism and ethical opposition. Some people consider it unnatural to graft animal parts into the body of a human being. The religious perspective views blood and the body as holy while animals such as pigs are seen to be unclean. There is also an unavoidable conflict between animal and human rights and interests. The view on whether human life should be prioritized over the suffering of animals is an issue that can only be addressed through careful and viable arguments. Dealing with it through adherence to the ethical issues and education of the masses can help. The medical risks discussed earlier must also be addressed to ensure evidence of lives saved without complications, infections, and death (Groth, 2007).
The legal aspect must also be considered. In order to minimize the highlighted risks and a negative impact on public health, the procedure must be strictly regulated by the relevant government authorities. The views of experts in the field and the public should also be published in the form of guiding documents; this increases an understanding of the procedure and its implications (Bloom, 2012). The government should also collaborate with international bodies and other public health agencies in developing and maintaining a rational and safe program for regulation of xenotransplantation.
Addressing the main issues will go a long way in giving the healthcare system the ability to deal with cases of organ failure, diabetes, and some neurodegenerative diseases more effectively (FDA, 2016).
Conclusion
Following the evidence, thousands will continue dying on waiting lists due to the unavailability of human organs. Xenotransplantation offers an alternative to the use of human organs. If the highlighted risks are mitigated, the practice would save the lives of millions. However, xenotransplantation must be improved to avoid disease transfer as evident in the case of HIV/AIDS origin. Although the practice offers significant benefits to the individual patients, it poses a risk to the patient and public as a whole. The adoption of a cautious approach through FDA regulation is necessary.
References
Bloom, E.T. (2012). Xenotransplantation: Federal Regulatory Considerations. In C. Wilson & D. R. Salomon (eds.), Xenotransplantation (pp. 240-251). New York: Springer Science & Business Media.
Denner, J. (2014). Xenotransplantation-Problems and Progress- A Review. Journal of Transplantation Technologies and Research, 4(2). Retrieved from http://edoc.rki.de/oa/articles/reWVszx8JXWag/PDF/20XUb5qq4QBdg.pdf
Food and Drug Administration. (2016, December 30). Xenotransplantation. Vaccines. Blood, and Biologics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Xenotransplantation/
Groth, C. G. (2007). The Potential Advantages of Transplanting Organs from Pig to Man: A transplant surgeon’s view. Indian Journal of Urology, 23(3), 305-309.
Simon, J. W., & Jansen, B. E. S. (Eds.). (2008). Xenotransplantation: Ethical, Legal, Economic, Social, Cultural, and Scientific Background (vol. 3). AVM.
