New technological advances are bringing possibilities that were never before dreamed possible, and society is changing because of them. One recent, and very large, contribution to society is xenotransplantation, or the transplantation between different species. This process of transplanting organs from one species to another is most commonly used in the transfer of animal organs into humans as an alternative to human transplants. It serves as an immediate lifesaver for many, helping to provide humans with necessary medicines and replace disfunctioning body parts. However, one does have to consider the costs, as well as the morality of taking from one species simply to benefit another.
For thousands of people all over the world, the option of an organ transplant is absolutely impossible. There are simply not enough human donors to supply the vast number of people who desperately need vital organs, and because of this, people die each day. Money is also an issue for many people, and even if an individual can't afford a transplant, whether it be from a human or animal, they would most likely rather have their money go toward efficient medical treatment. "Even if effective prevention measures were to take place rather than spending money on xenotransplant, the number of patients who could benefit from human transplants would still out number the potential human donors for many years" (Post). However, if the number of animals were taken into account, there would be an abundance. This is why xenotransplantation is so perfect. It is the only option, other than death. One of the most widely used animals for xenotransplants is the pig. There are no known viruses found in pigs that humans can obtain, and scientists continue to conduct various studies to ensure public safety and make certain that there are absolutely no chances of any epidemic through viral infections or diseases from pigs.
