Are Veterinary Students in Favour of Xenotransplantation? Comparative Opinion Study in a Brazilian and a Spanish University

BackgroundThe shortage of available transplant organs has made it necessary to search for alternatives, one of which is xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could face rejection from society and the personnel involved in its implementation. Objectives: (a) to analyze the attitudes of Veterinary Degree students in six Spanish Universities towards xenotransplantation; and (b) to determine the factors that affect its acceptance.MethodsOf the 2815 students surveyed in the degree program, 2683 valid surveys were obtained. Attitudes towards organ xenotransplantation were evaluated using a validated questionnaire of organ donation.ResultsIf xenotransplantation was confirmed as a clinical reality, 93% (n = 2493) of those surveyed would accept a xenotransplanted organ, whilst 7% would not. If the results of xenotransplantation were worse than those obtained with human donors and it entailed more risk, 12% (n = 318) would be in favor. 56% (n = 1497) of the students would accept a xenotransplantation provisionally pending the arrival of a human organ. Attitudes towards xenotransplantation were affected by the academic year in which a student was studying, with more favorable attitudes among students in the last year (88% in first year vs. 95% in fifth year; p < .001). More favorable attitudes are also observed depending on the attitude they have towards organ transplantation, with those students being more in favor of donating their organs when they die (94% vs. 88%; p < .001).ConclusionVeterinary students would have a very favorable attitude toward xenotransplantation if these animal organs functioned as well as human organs. Therefore, these students could play an important role in the future promotion of this technique.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Organ xenotransplantation acceptance in veterinary students: A multicentric opinion study in Spain

Martínez‐Alarcón,

Flores‐Medina,

Ramis

et al. 2023

“…Nevertheless, although the data in Spain suggest that patients tend to be in favor of XTx (72%), their attitude is not much more favorable than that of the population (74%) . Added to this, if we compare health science students, 74% of student nurses, 81% of medical students, and 91% of veterinary science students are in favor . Perhaps in the latter group, the closeness and familiarity of this discipline with animals are the difference.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Student nurses at Spanish universities and their attitude toward xenotransplantation

Martı́nez-Alarcón

Rı́os

Santainés‐Borredá

et al. 2019

Introduction: Recent immunological and transgenic advances are a promising alternative using limited materials of human origin for transplantation. However, it is essential to achieve social acceptance of this therapy.Objective: To analyze the attitude of nursing students from Spanish universities toward organ xenotransplantation (XTx) and to determine the factors affecting their attitude.Materials and methods: Type of study: A sociological, multicentre, and observational study. Study population: Nursing students enrolled in Spain (n = 28,000). Sample size:A sample of 10 566 students estimating a proportion of 76% (99% confidence and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and year of study. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire (PCID-XenoTx-RIOS) was handed out to every student in a compulsory session. This survey was self-administered and selfcompleted voluntarily and anonymously by each student in a period of 5-10 min.Statistical analysis: descriptive analysis, Student's t test, the chi-square test, and a logistic regression analysis.Results: A completion rate: 84% (n = 8913) was obtained. If the results of XTx were as good as in human donation, 74% (n = 6564) would be in favor and 22% (n = 1946) would have doubts. The following variables affected this attitude: age (P < 0.001); sex (P < 0.001); geographical location (P < 0.001); academic year of study (P < 0.001); attitude toward organ donation (P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (P < 0.001); discussion of transplantation with one's family (P < 0.001) and friends (P < 0.001); and the opinion of one's partner (P < 0.001). The following variables persisted in the multivariate analysis: being a male (OR = 1.436; P < 0.001); geographical location (OR = 1.937; P < 0.001); an attitude in favor of donation (OR = 1.519; P < 0.001); belief in the possibility of needing a transplant (OR = 1.497; P = 0.036);and having spoken about the issue with family (OR = 1.351; P < 0.001) or friends (OR = 1.240; P = 0.001). Conclusions:The attitude of nursing students toward organ XTx is favorable and is associated with factors of general knowledge about organ donation and transplantation and social interaction. K E Y W O R D S attitude, knowledge, Organ xenotransplantation, student nurses 1 | INTRODUC TI ON Due to this organ shortage and the increase in the indications for transplantation, there are increasing numbers of patients on the waiting list with the mortality that this brings with it. 1 In the search for definitive solutions, there is continued research into xenotransplantation (XTx) in order to attempt to obtain an inexhaustible source of cells and organs. 2,3 Although clinical XTx is not a reality at present, in preclinical trials it has been possible to obtain a functioning pig-baboon model. 6 Therefore, in vital organs and in emergency situations, XTx could be used as a bridge while waiting for a human organ. 7,8

“…The trajectory over the last 15 years has, on balance, been towards a more favorable view. 38,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] Nevertheless, the different questions posed, the variations in the levels of knowledge of the participants, and the information they were given prior to the study, make it difficult and imprudent to draw any definitive conclusions. The more recent favorable views could be explained by an increased awareness of XTx research during this period, combined with less awareness of previous clinical failures, or it may merely reflect a pro-innovation bias (i.e., that something new is superior).…”

Section: Public Attitudes Towards Xenotransplantationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, several studies have identified an overall unfavorable view towards XTx, 42–45 but these findings have tended to be the exception. The trajectory over the last 15 years has, on balance, been towards a more favorable view 38,46–57 . Nevertheless, the different questions posed, the variations in the levels of knowledge of the participants, and the information they were given prior to the study, make it difficult and imprudent to draw any definitive conclusions.…”

Section: Public Attitudes Towards Xenotransplantationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Xenotransplantation: A historical–ethical account of viewpoints

Cooper

Hurst

Cooper

2023

Formal clinical trials of pig-to-human organ transplant-known asxenotransplantation-may begin this decade, with the first trials likely to consist of either adult renal transplants or pediatric cardiac transplant patients. Xenotransplantation as a systematic scientific study only reaches back to the latter half of the 20th century, with episodic xenotransplantation events occurring prior to that. As the science of xenotransplantation has progressed in the 20th and 21st centuries, the public's knowledge of the potential therapy has also increased. With this, there have been shifting ethical stances toward xenotransplantation in key areas, such as religious and public viewpoints towards xenotransplantation, animal rights, and public health concerns.This review provides a historical-ethical account of xenotransplantation and details if or how viewpoints have shifted over time.