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ECNH-report “Xenotransplantation. New opportunities, new ethical questions?”, March 2024.
27.03.2024
ECNH-report “Xenotransplantation. New opportunities, new ethical questions?”, March 2024.
New genetic engineering techniques known as genome editing play a key role in the development of xenotransplantation. These techniques have given new impetus to xenotransplantation within a short period of time. They enable new and accelerated genetic modifications of animals to improve the suitability of their organs, tissues and cells for transplantation into humans and increase the chances of a successful transplant. Research into aspects of xenotransplantation is being conducted at several locations in Switzerland. Preclinical trials on apes are already being carried out in other countries, along with therapeutic trials on humans in the United States in particular.
A key prerequisite for xenotransplantation is that animals can be genetically modified in such a way that their organs can be used for transplantation into humans. The animals are genetically modified on the one hand to physiologically adapt their organs so that they can perform their function in humans, and on the other hand to overcome immunological rejection in the organ recipient and to reduce the risk of infection.
With regard to the use of animals, the ECNH investigates the extent to which technological and medical developments and the possible establishment of xenotransplantation raise new ethical questions or require new answers to familiar ethical questions.