Exploring the Ethics of Clinical Xenotransplantation

This book provides a comprehensive examination of the ethics of xenotransplantation. Due to the global shortage of organs for transplantation, there is increasing interest in cross-species transplantation, or xenotransplantation, among researchers and clinicians. Proponents of xenotransplantation envision a future in which transplantable organs can be safely and efficiently grown in genetically-modified pigs. This book provides an overview of the major ethical issues involved in xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation touches on almost every area of bioethics: animal research, public health, patient selection, allocation, global justice, pediatric research, and informed consent. Each chapter provides a nuanced overview of the positions that have been offered on a specific topic and the authors seek to provide a way forward. Exploring the Ethics of Clinical Xenotransplantation is an essential resource for researchers, students, and clinicians working in bioethics, medical ethics, animal ethics, and public health policy.