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New Publication by Physicians Committee Scientists Highlights Policies for Addressing Global Organ Shortages
A new perspective paper about organ shortage policy priorities authored by Physicians Committee scientists was just published. It discusses alternative strategies to combat the global organ shortage more effectively, safely, and ethically than xenotransplantation, or pig-to-human organ transplantation.
Around the world, a significant gap persists between the number of patients with end-stage organ failure and the availability of donated organs. Governments have implemented a range of policies to improve donation systems and reduce this supply–demand imbalance. In recent years, xenotransplantation has been proposed as a potential solution. This publication explains why it is a policy pitfall to continue to pursue xenotransplantation over more sensible and proven strategies for reducing organ demand and increasing supply. The technique remains plagued by immunological hurdles, the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, moral and environmental concerns for expanded animal agriculture, and ethical issues surrounding health inequities in the privatization of organs.
Physicians Committee scientists highlight more promising strategies for addressing the organ shortage, drawing on successful policies and systems implemented around the world. These approaches include streamlined human organ donation and transplantation processes, expanded education to build trust in transplantation systems, opt-out donation frameworks, strengthened public health initiatives to prevent end-stage organ failure, and increased investment in organ transplantation technologies, among others. Governments should address organ donation barriers and provide support for more robust transplantation systems. These strategies offer a safer, more effective path forward, without exploiting untold numbers of animals.
