Exploring the Ethics of Clinical Xenotransplantation

Christopher Bobier, PhD, MA, is Associate Professor of Foundational Sciences at Central Michigan University College of Medicine (Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA). In addition to xenotransplantation, his research interests include pediatric ethics, research ethics, philosophy of hope, and animal ethics. Adam Omelianchuk, PhD, MA, is an Assistant Professor at the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine as well as a practicing clinical ethicist (HEC-C) at Houston Methodist Hospital. His work focuses on ethical issues in death determination and transplant medicine. Daniel J. Hurst, PhD, ThM, MSc, is Director of Medical Professionalism, Ethics, and Humanities, as well as Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Medical Education & Scholarship at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Stratford, New Jersey, USA). He is co-editor of Xenotransplantation: Ethical, Regulatory, and Social Aspects (2023).

• Introduction 1. Organ transplantation and alternatives–the state of affairs 2. Is xenotransplant animal research ethical? 3. What are the public health concerns? 4. Who should receive a xenotransplant? 5. Is informed consent possible? 6. What interests are at stake for children? 7. How do we balance innovation and price? 8. What are the global and future implications?