An ethical perspective on xenotransplantation

The article presents from an ethical perspective the medical procedure of xenotransplantation and the emerging discussions on it. Thus, a series of ethical problems raised by this procedure are being scrutinized, such as: the shorter life expectancy, the possibility of xenozoonosis, the surveillance of patients, the experiments on animals, and the actual resistances to the procedure that are motivated by religious beliefs. Subsequently, their respective solutions are envisaged, that are meant to ensure a more ethical use of xenotransplantation.