NKF Campaigns Zone:
Press & Media

Xenotransplantation

The National Kidney Federation has supported Xenotransplantation since September 1997 when it made support for this procedure an adopted policy. There are currently 5493 patients on the Transplant waiting lists within the UK, yet only 2513 organs were transplanted during 2001. The waiting lists are continuing to grow and many patients do not even get onto the list. There must now be a real possibility that Xenotransplantation could, at a stroke, wipe out the waiting list system and give patients a chance for life.

The NKF is very aware of the potential to pass infection and illness from the pig to the patient, or into the human population at large, and for that reason urges further research to ensure that any such risk is eliminated completely. The NKF does not support Xenotransplantation without such safeguards, however, it remains very hopeful that these problems will be resolved and that Xenotransplantation has come a great deal closer as a result of the work done by PPL Therapeutics and the birth of five very special pigs – Noel, Angel, Star, Joy and Mary.

Released 3rd January 2002