Foreword

Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council was established in 2002 to consider the cultural, ethical and spiritual issues raised by biotechnology. To carry out this role the Council provides information, engages people of New Zealand in dialogue and gives advice to government.

This discussion document is about xenotransplantation - the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species into another. The focus here is on animal-to-human transplantation, looking at what the process involves and the related cultural, ethical and spiritual concerns.

The ready supply of animal organs has long roused interest in their potential for use in xenotransplantation, but the problems with immune system rejection of these foreign organs seemed insoluble. However, in recent years the focus has shifted away from the transplantation of organs towards the use of cells and tissues, which have less severe rejection problems and which some people find more acceptable. The possibility of genetically modifying source animals to lessen the chances of rejection has helped create new interest in the area, spurred by a rise in the need for donated cells, tissues and organs.

In 2002 the Government passed an amendment (Part 7A) to the Medicine Act 1981 to provide interim regulation while the safety and ethical, cultural and spiritual issues associated with xenotransplantation were considered. Part 7A allows xenotransplantation trials to be considered and approved by the Minister of Health, but requires strict criteria to be met before an approval is given. No applications have been made to the Minister of Health under this provision. This amendment is due to expire in June 2005, when new provisions for regulating xenotransplantation will need to be in place.

As part of its consideration of the cultural, ethical and spiritual aspects of xenotransplantation in New Zealand, the Bioethics Council is seeking public involvement in a dialogue process. This process will complement the review of human tissue regulation being undertaken by the Ministry of Health, and will provide valuable input into the recommendations which the Council will make to the Government on xenotransplantation.

Those who are familiar with the work of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification will be aware that xenotransplantation involving genetic modification was the subject of one of the recommendations of the Commission. This discussion document and the dialogue arising from it have a wider focus and relate more particularly to the pending legislation on all aspects of xenotransplantation.

One of the key tasks of Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council is to consult and engage with Maori, as part of its commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Council's approach to dialogue with Maori continues to evolve and is outlined in Chapter 6.

Xenotransplantation raises important questions about what it is to be human, how humans should treat animals, and how advantages and risks should be weighed when it comes to saving individual lives. We invite you to read this discussion document and join the discussion.

Jill White
Chair
Toi te Taiao: the Bioethics Council
January 2005

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