Appendix B: Glossary of terms

animal-to-human trial

xenotransplantation research in which organs, cells or tissues are transferred from an animal species (such as pigs) to humans. See also clinical trial.

clinical trial

a research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people.

endogenous retrovirus

a retrovirus that is incorporated in the genetic material in every cell in the body of its host, and is passed down from generation to generation. Normally an endogenous retrovirus does not cause any obvious signs of disease. See also retrovirus.

external therapies

therapies that occur outside the patient’s body, such as when blood from a patient with liver failure is passed through a machine containing live animal liver cells, to remove toxic substances (a procedure similar to kidney dialysis).

hapu

clan

immune rejection

an immunological response by a person’s body when it refuses to accept substances or organisms that it recognises as foreign.

iwi

tribe

kaitiakitanga

guardianship

karakia

incantation, prayer, ritual

kawa

procedure, protocol

matauranga

knowledge

non-human primates

mammals of the primate order apart from human beings (for example, apes, baboons, monkeys).

presumed consent

in the context of transplantation, the principle that unless a person has specifically requested that their tissues or organs not be used for transplantation, their consent can be presumed.

rangatira

chief

retrovirus

a family of viruses defined by their particular genetic structure. The family includes the lentiviruses (such as human immunodeficiency virus, HIV), oncoviruses (such as human T-cell leukaemia virus) and endogenous retroviruses (which exist as sequences embedded in the genome of their host).

stem cells

cells with the ability to divide for indefinite periods in culture and to give rise to specialised cells.

te ao Māori

the Māori world view

Tikanga Māori

traditional customs

Type 1 diabetes

a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels caused by a lack of insulin. This occurs when the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas are not destroyed by the body’s immune system. Type 1 diabetes typically develops in young people and is treated by injections of insulin. It is not related to lifestyle factors.

Type 2 diabetes

a condition characterised by high blood glucose levels caused by (stage 1) the body’s inability to use insulin effectively and (stage 2) a lack of insulin. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in middle-aged and older people.

wananga

learning process

whanau

family

xenografts

organs, tissues or cells that have been transplanted from one species to another.

xenotourists

recipients of xenografts who travel internationally, and who are of concern because of the potentially reduced ability to monitor their health, especially in the context of spreading a disease caused by xenotransplantation.

xenotransplantation

the transplantation of living cells, tissues and organs from one species to another. Xenotransplantation procedures include animal organ transplantation, animal cell therapies and animal external therapies.