Genetic disenhancement and xenotransplantation: diminishing pigs’ capacity to experience suffering through genetic engineering

• Published in: Journal of medical ethics Vol. 50; no. 11; pp. 729 - 733
• Main Authors: Rodger, Daniel, Hurst, Daniel J, Bobier, Christopher A, Symons, Xavier
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics 01.11.2024; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Animal Welfare - ethics; Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Biomedical Enhancement; Blood & organ donations; Breeding; Capacity; Clinical trials; Enhancement; Ethics; Feature article; Genetic engineering; Genetic Engineering - ethics; Hogs; Humans; Kidney; Medical ethics; Pain; Researchers; Swine; Transplantation; Transplantation, Heterologous - ethics; Transplants & implants; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US; Transplantation; Capacity; Enhancement; Biomedical Enhancement; Kidney

One objection to xenotransplantation is that it will require the large-scale breeding, raising and killing of genetically modified pigs. The pigs will need to be raised in designated pathogen-free facilities and undergo a range of medical tests before having their organs removed and being euthanised...