Canadians believe animal organs should not be transplanted into humans until safety and ethical issues are resolved, a national panel reported on Monday.

More than 3,900 Canadians are waiting for life-saving transplant surgeries. Xenotransplantation – the transfer of organs harvested from animals into humans – is a potential solution.




Canadian scientists have tested cross-species transplants in animals, giving lab mice hearts that come from rats.

But when a public advisory group toured the country to gauge public opinion on whether scientists should take the next step and test xenotransplants on humans, the majority of Canadians said no.

Dr. Heather Ross
Dr. Heather Ross

The report was published only days after American and British researchers announced they've cloned pigs that are genetically engineered to produce organs less likely to be rejected by the human immune system.

The Canadian Public Health Association organized public forums, Internet and mail surveys on the issue at the request of Health Minister Allan Rock.

Experts in various fields talked about the issues of xenotransplantation with 23 participants. By the end of the discussions, the results were:

  • 34 per cent of participants said no to the transplants;
  • 19 per cent said no with qualifications;
  • 46 per cent said yes, but with qualifications.

In its report, the group cited the possibility of unleashing an animal disease in humans as its number one concern.

"I think the reason that this was at the front of people's minds is because of the concern that HIV may also have made the jump from animals to humans," said Dr. Heather Ross, chair of the advisory group.

"So they raised the concern that there might be other viruses with the potential to do this."

Consider alternatives

Most citizens who were consulted initially said Canada should proceed with xenotransplantation, but the majority changed their mind when they were informed about the risks.

Ethicist Arthur Schafer agrees the risks outweigh the potential benefits to sick Canadians.

"The risk may be very small," said Schafer. "Since we're talking about a potential plague for future generations of humanity ... the stakes are potentially very high."

About 80 per cent of panelists favoured alternatives to xenotransplantation, such as expanding the human donor pool, mechanical substitutes and stem cell research.