Modern Biotechnology: Gene Therapy / Xeno-transplantation / Genetic Modification in Medicine / Cloning and Stem Cell Technology / Medical Uses of Biotechnology

This is the use of live cells, tissue or organs from non-human animal species, for transplantation into a human patient. Interest has grown in this area of biotechnology because up to 50% of people waiting to receive vital organ transplants, such as kidney, liver and heart, die while waiting for a donor organ.

Technical possibilities have increased as knowledge of immune reactions has grown. Increased technical capacity to combine genes from different species has also widened the options for this to occur.

In some parts of the world, including New Zealand, there have been experimental procedures undertaken to test the possibilities of Xeno-transplantation. The New Zealand experiments were the transplant of cells from pigs to produce insulin in people with diabetes.

A 1997 report raised concern about possible disease transfer across species through the use of Xeno-transplantation. As a result, limits have been put on the procedures, both in New Zealand and other countries, to ensure that more research into disease risks is carried out before further trials are undertaken.

In 2004 the same research team published a report suggesting the earlier concerns were misplaced. In 2005 the New Zealand Bioethics Council issued a discussion document on the Cultural, Spiritual and Ethical Aspects of Xeno-transplantation, and a significant public dialogue process took place. Details of this dialogue and references to the research on the topic can be found on the website of Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council (from the National Library of New Zealand's National Digital Heritage Archive).

Follow this link to the submission made by NZORD on the Bioethics Counil consultation. A detailed submission from Diabetes New Zealand was endorsed by NZORD and is also posted on our site for information. Both called for approval to be given for further research and clinical trials of therapies derived from Xeno-transplantation.