What is xenotransplantation?
Xenotransplantation is the term used for the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another. NHMRC generally uses the term animal-to-human transplantation to clarify the type of xenotransplantation being discussed (eg from pigs to humans). There are three types of xenotransplantation; animal external therapies, animal cell therapies and animal organs transplants. Animal external therapies are procedures that occur outside the body. In this type of therapy, cells or fluids are removed from the patient, cultured (grown) with or filtered through animal cells and then returned to the patient. Animal cell therapies involve the transplantation of tissues and cells from one species to another. For example; skin, bone or clusters of specialised cells such as pancreatic islet cells (which produce insulin to treat diabetes). Organ xenotransplants involve the transplantation of whole organs such as hearts and kidneys from one species to another. This is the most co
