The beast inside

Article Abstract:

The UK has been central in the xenotransplantation debate due to the work of Imutran, a biotechnology company, but there is a currently a moratorium. The US has a history of attempts at xenotransplantation, and although scientists expressed concern about the risk of cross-species disease transmission, a moratorium was rejected by the government. Efforts to prevent the human immune system reacting severely to the transplant include human gene insertion, which cause the donor organ to produce surface proteins that trick the immune system into accepting it as a human organ.

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At the edge of knowledge

Article Abstract:

There is a severe shortage of transplant organs and patients who need transplant surgery are dying. One solution would be to use organs or tissues from animals, known as xenotransplantation, but such an approach raises serious ethical issues. The UK's Nuffield Council on Bioethics considers many of the issues involved with transplants, including the special considerations for nurses who may be asked to care for xenotransplant patients. The report concludes that nurses should have the right to refuse to participate in transplant surgery on ethical grounds.

Nursing

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Should people with HIV infection receive transplants?

Article Abstract:

Recent research into the issue of whether people with HIV infection should receive transplants has looked at the policies of various transplant units across the UK on testing potential recipients for HIV infection. It also considered whether units provide counselling before and after such a test. Many ethical questions are raised by the decision to test patients before accepting them as a potential recipient, and further discussion is also required about the cost and efficiency of screening for the HIV virus.

Health aspects, Organ transplant recipients

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