Ethics of Xenotransplantion

With the transplant waiting list growing every day because of a lack of human organ donors, there is much talk of xenotransplantation (the use of animal organs and tissues for transplantation in human) among the scientific community. With the many technological and medical advances, it is quite possible to use organs, or parts of organs to save a life. There have been debates back and forth whether or not this is considered an ethical issue or just an animal rights issue. In reality, it is both. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the ethical controversial issues of whether xenotransplantation is a great way to help the human race or is the process cruelty to the animals.

There are two very strong, very opposite, opinions on this topic. All aspects of the procedure are very controversial. One side believes that this relatively new technology is God sent and can be the cure all, saving millions of lives all over the world. The other side believes that using manipulating animals for the benefit of a human is unfair to the animals.

There is so much more weight put on saving a human's life over keeping an animal alive. When asked, most would say "save the human's life." The loss of a human has a much greater magnitude on society, an animal would not make too much of a difference. In most cases, human life has a lot more meaning and emotion attached to it. Most people would look at a dead animal and think nothing of it. We see this every time we pass a dead deer along side the road. However, if it were a person lying on the side of the road, people would be more then likely to stop and help. There are really sick infants, days old, who are put on a transplant list and end up waiting years for a compatible donor. Some people end up dying while on the waiting list. People hunt animals for food as to stay alive all over the world, everyday. This is also a way an animal aids in the sustaining of a human life. By supplying an organ or part of an organ for someone who has been waiting years on the donor list, they can save a life. If it is going to work, it would defiantly be a good alternative to waiting on a list to find a compatible donor.

The other side of the argument believes that it is not fair to the animals, usually pigs, to be manipulated and used. To some it is considered cruelty. If xenotransplantation becomes a norm then what will happen with the animals that will be