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| Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title. | |
eMJA: The xenotransplantation research debate: time to involve the community The xenotransplantation research debate: time to involve the community. Kerry J Breen, on behalf of the NHMRC Working Party on Xenotransplantation MJA 2002 177 (4): 175 Medical practitioners need to be involved in the community debate On 8 July 2002, the National Health and Medical Research Council released a discussion paper1 and draft guidelines for xenotransplantation research, with the aim of promoting widespread community debate of the issues involved. In the discussion paper, xenotransplantation is defined as the placement of animal cells, tissues or organs into humans, and includes the exposure of human tissue or cells to animal cells. Examples include the external perfusion of blood through a "bioartificial liver" (ie, an external apparatus containing pig liver cells which are separated from the perfused human blood by a semipermeable membrane), or culture of human skin cells on mouse fibroblasts for later use in treating burns. This definition excludes implantation of inert, sterilised animal tissues, as currently used to create artificial heart valves. The concept of xenotransplantation has arisen because of an ongoing shortage of human donor organs. The discussion paper provides information on this shortfall, and measures pursued in Australia and overseas to try to improve organ donation rates. As there is general acceptance that the demand for donor organs is such that even increased human donation will not overcome the problem, the complex issues attending the shortage of human donors are not pursued further in the discussion paper. Full Article: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/177_04_190802/bre10442_fm.html |
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2006 Ethics-Governance.com |
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