The Ethics of Xenotransplantation Essay examples

The dangers that arise from reproductive cloning are numerous, and are enough to validate the banning of human reproductive cloning altogether. During mammalian reproductive cloning, a large proportion of clones suffered from weakened immune systems, which greatly compromised the animal’s ability to fight off infection, disease, and other disorders. “Animal experiments in cloning all indicate that a cloned twin is at high risk of congenital defects, multiple health problems and perhaps a greatly shortened life span.” (Paulson) In addition, many of the offspring produced through cloning suffer massive abnormalities, such as missing or deformed organs. Approximately 30% of offspring are diagnosed with “large offspring syndrome” and other debilitating conditions. In fact, studies on reproductive cloning have shown that more than 90% of

Throughout time Organ transplanting has been an important medical procedure that has been present, not only in the United States, but around the globe. It is the process of surgically removing an organ from on patient and then transplanting it into the other. This practice is usually used when a recipient’s own organ fails to function properly or has

     The audience for this paper is comprised of those readers looking to gain knowledge on the issue of xenotransplantation. This group of people is unaware of the dynamics of the ethical arguments surrounding this current issue. This audience does not have a specific age or belief, reflecting the varied positions of the argument. Due to this hunger for factual information, they do not wish to have someone else’s views imposed on them. Instead, they wish to define and establish a view of their own.      

Xenotransplantation is a controversial medical procedure that has been debated by medical ethicists for many years. Xenotransplantation or Xeno is defined as the short-term transplantation of animal tissues into a human. It has been argued that the procedure is unethical because of the use of animal organs. However, twenty two people die each day waiting for an organ transplant, so we must act soon to save the thousands of lives that are still waiting. Xenotransplantation is a highly debatable procedure and offers a unique solution to the ever growing organ transplant list, making it a viable and worthwhile procedure.

In reproductive technology, ethical decisions should focus on the good of the children, their individual parents, and families, and let us not forget the good health and common good of the larger society (Morrison, 2009). Exercising the principles of ethics can assist in finding common ground in NRT. Bioethical issues include the appropriate use of pre-implantation genetic diagnostic screening, use, storage and destruction of excess IVF embryos, and research involving embryos. “NRT research requires human participants, donors and donated embryos, oocytes and sperm” (Adelaide Centre for Bioethics and Culture, 2013). Ethics committees have detailed expected behaviors/regulations that are supposed to be followed if participating in this type of medical treatment. In fact, advisory groups and researchers have encouraged participants to disclose the fact of gamete donation to the offspring, and some clinics will aid in assisting future contact if all members agree. (American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 2014). As a minimum, donors, and recipients have an obligation to disclose non-identifying medical information. Should a medical issue arise in the future, all participants have a

The idea of finding a way to cure people of diseases with their own cells is one that scientists, physicians, and those who are afflicted by such diseases find very enticing. Therapeutic cloning is a process that scientists believe has the potential to achieve such goals in the future. While therapeutic cloning brings with it a variety of potential benefits and innovations, it also carries with it a polarizing ethical conflict that poses a strong impediment to furthering such research and development. By realizing therapeutic cloning for its great potential benefits and world changing implications and disregarding any ethical considerations that may deter such advancement, the proper focus and open-mindedness necessary to achieve success in the field would be achieved. Therapeutic cloning, like all medical endeavors, includes a multitude of challenges and flaws, but no very important medical achievements come about without extensive research and continual attempts at success.

But, unfortunately, human donors are required. In most cases, in order for a vital organ to become available, another life must end. Even at this great cost, this is still not the best solution. Transplants could be rejected or not function well. Animal donors have also been explored, but these also may not function and they may add the risk of certain diseases (Highfield). Cloned organs require that no life be taken. Rejection is reduced, because the receiver can also be the donor of the tissue.

People base their arguments concerning cloning off of norms, and with that, they ignore the possible benefits of this technology. Cloning technology may possibly benefit us in a lot of ways. It could potentially be used to reverse heart attacks, infertility, treat defective genes, and treat brain damage such as Alzheimer and Parkinson. With all the benefits behind this technology, reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning should be legalized for research, experiments, and future use.

Xenotransplantation is something we don’t hear everyday. Xenotransplantation is a process where animal organs, tissues and cells are transplanted into humans for medical reasons. The most common animal to transplant organs into humans, with the most success, is a pig. It is a personal opinion whether or not xenotransplantation can help or hurt you. Before deciding whether to do the operation or not you will have to look at the pros and cons that are listed

These medical techniques cannot only be used to benefit humans, but animals may be able to be saved as well. Full animal cloning could be used to increase the

Xenotransplantation: a subject about which people hold strong contrasting views. Rare attempts have been made to transplant animal organs or tissues into human beings since the early years of this century. Curiosity surrounding the procedure known as Xenotransplantation has increased in the last few years because it is seen as one way of reducing the shortage of human organs for transplantation. Currently, this shortage strictly edges the potential of transplantation for treating human diseases. The worldwide requirement for organs is growing significantly. For example, in 2004, the United Network of organ sharing found that over 100,000 patients could have had an advantage from organ transplant, but only 29,000 were available. In 1963 Doctor Keith Reemtsma a surgeon who experimented with organ transplants. Thirteen chimpanzee’s kidneys were transferred into humans. Twelve patients survived for 60 days. One patient survived for nine months, so this option was considered a viable one.

The first problem that human cloning encounter is it is one of unethical processes because it involves the alteration of the human genetic and human may be harmed, either during experimentation or by expectations after birth. “Cloning, like all science, must be used responsibly. Cloning human is not desirable. But cloning sheep has its uses.”, as quoted by Mary Seller, a member of the Church of England’s Board of Social Responsibility (Amy Logston, 1999). Meaning behind this word are showing us that cloning have both advantages and disadvantages. The concept of cloning is hurting many human sentiments and human believes. “Given the high rates of morbidity and mortality in the cloning of other mammals, we believe that cloning-to-produce-children would be extremely unsafe, and that attempts to produce a cloned child would be highly unethical”, as quoted by the President’s Council on Bioethics. Since human cloning deals with human life, it said to be unethical if people are willing to killed embryo or infant to produce a cloned human and advancing on it. The probability of this process is successful is also small because the technology that being used in this process is still new and risky.

A better knowledge of these impacts can be obtained by discussing the good and bad of animal cloning. One application of the cloning technique is by cloning genetically modified animals, so that their cells and organs can be transplanted into humans. Thousands of patients die as a result of the unavailability of human organs for transplantations and this cloning technique could potentially be a solution within the medical

Physicians today are faced with a growing list of patients awaiting transplants for organs that have failed, but there are not enough donors to meet these needs. Countries all over the world have a “human organ shortage” and the waiting lists for organ transplants only seem to grow longer (Melo 427). In the United States 62,000 patients needed a kidney, liver, or pancreatic transplant in the year 2001. Xenotransplantation, which refers to the transplantation of organs, cells, or tissues from animal species into human beings, has been heralded as a promising technology that will help us save more lives and lessen the dire shortage of transplantable organs.

By combining this technology with human cloning technology it may be possible to produce needed tissue for suffering people that will be free of rejection by their immune systems. Conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart failure, and other problems may be made curable by human cloning. (“Cloning to Save Lives”)