Strengthening acceptance for xenotransplantation: the case of attraction effect

Abstract

These results demonstrate that paradigms from other fields, like decision-making, might help to communicate more effectively the potential of xenotransplantation, modulating patients' affective reactions and allowing them to understand the potential strengths of this biomedical technology.

Attitude toward xenotransplantation of patients prior and after human organ transplantation

“…Recently, studies have also shown that the acceptance rate of xenotransplantation is rather influenced by their affective reaction and not only by the level of information. It was possible to significantly increase the acceptance of xenotransplantation by using the attraction effect: organs from pigs are chosen more frequently if the set of alternatives is enlarged by adding a new option, which is equally available but more aversive than pig organs (15). Analytical information, such as data on the availability of donor organs seemed to play a minor role in decision making (16).…”

Meta‐analysis of public perception toward xenotransplantation

“…Preliminary review of the 19 studies being considered, presented with considerable independent variable heterogeneity, and exhibited significant variability in the questions asked . However, the majority reported that, among those surveyed, >50% supported XTx, with a range from as low of 37% to a maximum of 83% . Of the 19 data‐based studies, 12 were considered for inclusion in our study, but only eight provided original data in a usable format for meta‐analysis .…”

People’s attitude toward xenotransplantation: affective reactions and the influence of the evaluation context

“…However, a study by our group recently showed that patients have a rather negative affective reaction toward xenotransplantation and they are not willing to undergo such a procedure when the chance of getting a human organ is also available [14]. In the same study, we showed that decisionmaking paradigms might help improving patients attitude toward xenotransplantation as well as explaining the factors involved in people's perception of this type of biomedical technology.…”

“…We already knew that patients prefer to receive a new organ from a donor of their same species [14]. However, the full appreciation of the strength of xenotransplantation by the patients is heavily depending on both affective reactions and analytical information (e.g., organs availability).…”