Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either (a) live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source, or (b) human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs. The development of xenotransplantation is, in part, driven by the fact that the demand for human organs for clinical transplantation far exceeds the supply.

Significance

• This breakthrough may bring us one step closer to resolving the worldwide organ scarcity.
• In India, between 25,000 and 30,000 liver transplants are required each year. However, just approximately 1,500 people receive them.
• Pigs are becoming more common organ transplant recipients.
• According to the health ministry, over 0.18 million individuals in India suffer from renal failure each year, but only about 6,000 kidney transplants are performed in the nation.
• In India, between 25,000 and 30,000 liver transplants are required each year, but only approximately 1,500 are performed.
• In the case of the heart, 50,000 patients have heart failure and require a heart transplant.
• Despite this, barely 10-15 heart transplants are performed in India each year.
• Pigs have an edge over primates when it comes to organ harvesting since they are easy to grow and reach mature human size in six months.

• Pig heart valves are frequently transplanted into humans, and some diabetic patients have received pancreatic cells from pigs.

Issues

• Animal rights: Many people, especially animal rights organisations, are highly opposed to murdering animals in order to harvest their organs for human use.
• Reduced life expectancy: In the 1960s, many organs were harvested from chimps and transplanted into terminally ill individuals, who did not live much longer as a result.
• Religious violations: In Islam and many other religions, some animals, such as pork, are absolutely banned.
• Informed consent: When considering the future uses of xenotransplantation, autonomy and informed consent are critical.
• Zoonosis dangers: The safety of public health is an important element to consider. We are already dealing with the most serious zoonotic disease danger.

How to structure

1. Give an intro about Xeno transplantation
2. Explain the process behind it
3. Explain how it helps in the shortage of organs
4. Suggest way forward and conclude

Reference:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/xenotransplantation-and-the-future-of-medicine-101642689714434.html