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Factors influencing attitudes toward xenotransplantation clinical trials: A report of focus group studies
Author(s) -
Hurst Daniel J.,
Padilla Luz A.,
Cooper David K. C.,
Paris Wayne
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
xenotransplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.052
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1399-3089
pISSN - 0908-665X
DOI - 10.1111/xen.12684
Subject(s) - organ procurement , xenotransplantation , transplantation , focus group , medicine , clinical trial , bioethics , biology , marketing , genetics , business
Background Clinical trials of xenotransplantation (XTx, ie, cross‐species transplantation, specifically the transplantation of genetically engineered pig organs into human recipients) are due to start within a few years. Methods Five focus groups were conducted in April‐May 2019, among local religious leaders (N = 10), organ procurement staff/administrators (N = 5), patients and parents of patients who may need an organ transplant or are transplant recipients (N = 9), and local businesspersons in the community (N = 3). Groups were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with NVivo software to identify themes of participants’ thoughts to XTx. Results An overall Cohen's kappa statistic of 0.71 was established. In general, there was wide agreement among participants that XTx is an exciting and acceptable option to explore as an organ alternative. Concerns were expressed primarily regarding issues of animal ethics, stigma regarding how pigs are viewed in society, organ allocation logistics, quality of life after receiving a xenograft, and how XTx would be accepted by certain theological traditions. Conclusion Overall, various stakeholders accepted XTx as a clinical option. However, there were ethical, social, and physical concerns raised. Future studies exploring the development of education strategies that may help alleviate concerns related to XTx before it becomes a clinical alternative are needed among the general public, potential XTx candidates, and their family members.