Mustafa Enes Şahin
21200752
Eng 102 Sec: 30
Ayşe Akçam
15.04.2014
Research Paper Question: What factors should be considered when deciding xenotransplantation?
XENOTRANSPLANTATION
Xenotransplantation, Transgenics, and the Animal-human Boundary
The progression of modern science and technology has often challenged old, time-worn notions. Nowhere does this seem truer than in biology and medicine, as these fields have changed drastically in recent decades and also relate so closely to the actual substance of how people live. One such development is what is called xenotrans-plantation or the transplantation of organs or cells across species—particularly notable when from a non-human species into a human. The very fact that the procedure is possible is telling as regards the inherently ephemeral nature of the distinction of humans from other animals.
Xenotransplantation and Human Fetal Tissue Transplantation
ABSTRACT: The ecofeminist critique of dualism is applied to a consideration of two alternative paths that we might take in transplantation medicine: the utilization of organs and tissues taken from nonhuman animals, and/or further development of techniques for employing human organs and tissues, including human fetal tissue. It is concluded that from an evolutionary perspective, the assumption of a vast value disparity between human and nonhuman life is untenable, and from a moral point of view the establishment of yet another institution based on a dualistic opposition between human life, postulated to be of ultimate value, versus devalued, disposable "other" life is unacceptable. We are urged to forego xenotransplantation and instead take responsibility for whatever manipulations we choose, respectfully, to make with life that is already valued as "self" rather than "other. "
Technological advances in biomedicine are occurring with increasing rapidity at this time in human history, far more rapidly than most of us have been able to comprehend and evaluate them.
Xenotransplantation is the process of taking cells, parts of organs, or even whole organs from one species of animal, 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 have 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 using them in humans in need of organ transplants. It is still a relatively new medical phenomena, with documented cases of the practice only taking place since 1906.
Many people are aware of the term allotransplantation, which is when a human donates an organ such as a liver or kidney to another human. However, recently, due to the shortage of donors, xenotransplantation has been researched and used more frequently. Xenotransplantation can be defined as "using nonhuman animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat humans" (National Health and Medical Research Council 1). The idea of transplanti...
Xenotransplantation will not only extend lives, but it will help balance the supply and demand for human organ donations. Thousands of people die every year because they are forced to wait on the transplant list and don’t live long enough to get the organ they need. The temporary use of animal organs can extend a person’s life long enough for them to get the organ they need and get a transplant. There is also such a high demand for organs and not enough to satisfy that demand. The use of animal organs can be used as a viable replacement to extend lives long term. The process of xenotransplantation is when a whole organ or tissue is transferred surgically from one living species to
In the world we’re living in today, many kinds of diseases, infections, and viruses are continuously arising. At the same time, scientists are untiringly researching about how we can prevent or cure them. Unfortunately, millions of people have been affected and sick that some of their organs fail that results to the need of organ replacement. Many people have died because no organs have been available to provide the need of organ replacements. The shortage of organ replacement has been a bioethical issue since then and it seems like no solution has been available. However, due to the studies scientists have been conducting, they found the most possible answer to this issue – Xenotransplantation. It hasn’t become very popular all over the
Trivedi, Bijal P. “Cloned Pigs modified for Use in Human Transplants”. National Geographic News 3 Jan 2002. Retrieved 6 April 2011 from nationalgeographic.com
The medical procedure of Xenotransplantation, (transplanting animal organs into humans) has been happening for many years, this medical practice was proceeding mixed results and mixed views regarding the procedure. In the year 1984, a baby girl whom was named Baby Fae by medical staff, became known world wide for the medical procedure she endured. Baby Fae had a potentially fatal heart problem, she was suffering from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome which is a fatal disease if not treated by surgery, (Time Magazine, 1984). The only way to save her was to replace her failing heart with a healthy seven month old baboon heart. The medical professionals that were working on Baby Fae were excited to be able to perform this Xenotransplantation on the infant. After the procedure Baby Fae was acting like any normal healthy infant would. But unfortunately, the replacement heart surgery wasn’t a true success story as the medical staff had hoped. Baby Fae died 20 days after her surgery because her tiny body rejected the baboons heart, which then went on to cause other fatal damage such as kidney...
Thesis: I will explain the history of organ transplants, starting with ancient ideas before modern science until the 21st century.