Xenotransplantation and Risks: The Opinion of Veterinary Students at Spanish Universities

BackgroundIn recent years, the implementation of the first case of pig‐to‐human heart xenotransplantation and the report of three cases of pig‐to‐brain‐dead human recipient kidney transplantation indicate that xenotransplantation is getting closer to clinical application. In the near future, China may also launch clinical trials of kidney xenotransplantation. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the level of knowledge and acceptance of xenotransplantation among kidney transplant recipients and candidates in China. This study aims to investigate the level of comprehension and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation in kidney transplant recipients and explore related factors, providing a reference for promoting the application and clinical trials of xenotransplantation in the near future.MethodsA questionnaire was completed by 211 kidney transplant recipients and 21 candidates. Answers to the questionnaires were self‐administered by the respondents. Scores were compared using nonparametric tests, as well as using Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test to compare differences in answers.ResultsRespondents demonstrated a high score of 75 (out of 100) on knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation. The sector “Knowledge and Attitude” received the overall highest score from respondents (85.0 out of 100), while “Risks and Concerns” received the lowest score (50 out of 100). Interestingly, respondents paid more attention to infection risks but showed less concern about rejection or unknown risks. Furthermore, 191 respondents (82.3%) expected that pig kidney xenografts could function for at least 5 years or more. The scores were statistically significant in terms of age, gender, level of education, level of knowledge on the case of xenotransplantation clinical trial, and willingness to donate organs. cognitionConclusionsThe awareness rates of xenotransplantation are high among kidney transplant recipients and candidates, for which the majority showed a generally favorable attitude towards this procedure. Respondents did not have a comprehensive understanding of the specific knowledge of xenotransplantation and expressed more concern about the risk of infection compared to the risk of rejection and other unknown risks, while also expecting long‐term survival similar to allograft transplantation for pig kidney xenografts.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Efficacy and Costmentioning

confidence: 93%

A study of knowledge and acceptance of kidney xenotransplantation among Chinese kidney transplant recipients and candidates

Tu,

Zhao,

Chen

et al. 2024

“…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.

“…This study is included in the “Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante‐PCID (España)” (International Collaborative Organ Donation Project) 19 . It is part of a macro‐population study, one of the objectives of which is to carry out a quality analysis 20 of the attitudes related to organ donation and transplantation, 21 among others, of Spanish students in Health Science disciplines, including students of Medicine, Nursing and Veterinary Medicine 22,23 . It is essential to know and analyze the attitude towards all aspects related to organ donation and transplantation of the professionals who, in the future, will have to work in this field.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Martínez‐Alarcón,

Flores‐Medina,

Ramis

et al. 2023

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.