Public Consultation on Xenotransplantation
Background
On August 10, 2000, Health Minister Allan Rock announced that the CPHA has been funded to take on the responsibilities of forming a Public Advisory Group and conducting consultations across Canada on the issue of xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation is the use of live, non-human animal cells, tissues and organs in humans. Xenotransplants could potentially provide an alternative source of organs and tissues for patients in Canada.
Health Minister Allan Rock states that “the views of Canadians will help to guide the future development of government policy on xenotransplantation in Canada.”
Consultation Objective
CPHA has agreed to consult with the Canadian public on the health, ethical, legal, economic and social issues related to xenotransplantation and to report to the Minister of Health on the results of those consultations.
Findings
- Executive Summary (PDF: 192k)
- Final Report (PDF: 386k)
The Big Issues
Viewpoints
- Attitudes surveyed in 7 countries
- Issues
- Ethics:
Ethical and Social Issues Raised by Xenotransplantation (Health Canada) - Ethics:
Ethics Overview (Council of Europe) - Ethics:
A Retrospective Overview of the Discussion of the Ethical Issues (Margaret A. Somerville) - Ethics:
Ethical concerns regarding the use of animals as a source of organs, cells or tissues for transplants (Council of Europe) - Legal:
Xenotransplantation and Public Health: Identifying the Legal Issues (Patrik Florencio & Timothy Caulfield) - Science:
Scientific Issues Raised by Xenotransplantation (Health Canada) - Religious viewpoints
- Summary of Recommendations from the National Forum on Xenotransplantation (1997)
