An argument against using animals for transplant organs.

Human organ and tissue transplantation (allotransplantation) is common surgery in the United States. The procedure is carried out in order to save the lives of individuals suffering organ failure and serious disease. Examples of this include kidney, heart, liver, and lung transplants. "In 1996, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States estimated that approximately 48,000 people were on the waiting list for suitable organs for transplantation, and an estimated 3,000 people die each year in the US while waiting for suitable organs or tissue for transplantation."1 One possible alternative to human organ transplantation is xenotransplantation, using animal organs and tissues for transplantation in humans.

At this time, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in conjunction with the Public Health Service and Center for Disease Control are assessing the need for xenotransplantation and whether or not a balance between public health risk and the potential promise of a suitable organ and tissue source can be found. The main reason to continue xenotransplant research is the overwhelming demand for replac

Along with scientific objections, the issue of xenotransplantation raises ethical objections as well. Most religions believe in life being sacred and unique, and by altering the genetic code of the donor organ with human DNA, we might be doing more harm than good. Animals have been altered through selective breeding techniques for thousands of years in order to obtain livestock with desirable characteristics. This has always been accepted, and few people are likely to object to the to the breeding of animals specifically for transplant purposes when the lives of transplant patients could be saved. However, some people feel strongly about altering animals through the use of more direct genetic techniques. Some people feel that it is too much like 'playing god', that humans do not have the right to interfere with life at such a fundamental level. They see the alteration of tissue type by replacing a portion of the animal's genome with the human equivalent to be unethical. It is unlikely that adverse opinion about the genetic engineering of animals will prevent the development and use of engineered animals for xenotransplantation in the future.

Fano, Alix; Cohen MD, Murry; Cramer MD, Marjorie; Greek M.D., Ray; "Of Pigs, Primates, and

Some common words found in the essay are:
Institute Medicine, South Africa, Disease Control, SIV3 Pigs, , FDA United, Organs' Lancet, Hampshire Stillpoint, cross species, Dorling Anthony, EID Volume, organ tissue, public health, suitable organs, heart liver, human organ, organ failure, animals benefit humans, safety analysis, food drug, killing animals benefit, drug administration, organ tissue transplants, able cross species, people believe animals,
Approximate Word count = 1616
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)