Creating human organs in chimaera pigs: an ethical source of immunocompatible organs?

J Med Ethics. 2015 Dec;41(12):970-4. doi: 10.1136/medethics-2014-102224. Epub 2014 Nov 5.

Abstract

New techniques in regenerative medicine may soon enable the creation of human organs inside animals using induced pluripotent stem cells. This technology has the potential to solve the organ scarcity problem by providing a limitless source of personalised organs for transplantation, but also raises several ethical issues, particularly concerning animal welfare, the 'human features' problem and human dignity.

Keywords: Animal Production; Genetic Engineering; Stem Cell Research; Transplantation.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Welfare / ethics*
  • Animal Welfare / trends
  • Animals
  • Chimera / immunology*
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Histocompatibility*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / immunology
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / transplantation*
  • Organ Transplantation* / ethics
  • Organ Transplantation* / methods
  • Organ Transplantation* / trends
  • Personhood
  • Regenerative Medicine* / ethics
  • Regenerative Medicine* / methods
  • Regenerative Medicine* / trends
  • Swine*
  • Transplantation Tolerance* / ethics
  • Transplantation Tolerance* / immunology
  • Waiting Lists
  • Zoonoses / etiology
  • Zoonoses / prevention & control