3.4.1 The acceptability of intervention in the order of creation

According to the created order, man, created in God’s image and likeness, has a central place. The lower creatures serve man, and he has a limited right of disposal over them. The purpose of this central position of man is not so much his lordship over other creatures, but his cooperation with the Creator in fulfilling the purpose of creation: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28). The “creatures which are lower in the order of creation” must serve and be subservient to this particular task. In this light, xenotransplantation is acceptable.

3.4.1.1 The use of animals for man

In virtue of their being created beings, animals have their own worth, which man must value and respect. God placed the animals, together with other non-human creatures, at the service of man. Still, they, too, are God’s creatures, and it is, therefore, important, in the use of animals, to be alert as to whether there is a necessity for doing so and whether the chosen use does not cause the animal unnecessary suffering.

3.4.1.2 The influence on the identity of the recipient

As explained earlier, it is morally wrong to implant a foreign organ which changes the identity of the person [12: S. Ioannes Paulus II. Ad eos qui conventui de chirurgicis transplantationibus interfuerunt (29-8-2000). Acta Apostolicae Sedis 2000, 92, 822-828.] [13: Pius XII. Vous nous avez demandé. Toespraak tot de Italiaanse Vereniging van hoornvliesdonors en de Italiaanse bond van blinden en tot oogspecialisten, over de morele waardering van de hoornvliestransplantatie (14 mei 1956). Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Rome: Libreria Editrice Vaticana; 1956, 48.] [14: Pontifical Academy for Life. Prospects for xenotransplantation scientific aspects and ethical considerations. Vatican City 2001.]. This issue does not arise in the transplantation of a heart, kidney or liver. Brains and genital organs, however, are inseparably united to the identity of the human person (cf. the present Chapter 3.5). Given the effect of the transplantation of the organs mentioned on the identity of the person, they are not permitted.

In conclusion, as long as the identity of the human recipient is not affected, xenotransplantation is acceptable, as long as the risks are proportionate, which, as will become evident later, turns out to be a great difficulty [15: Pontifical Academy for Life. Prospects for xenotransplantation scientific aspects and ethical considerations. Vatican City 2001.].

There are, however, a number of aspects which require more attention:

1. The risks to the recipient.
2. The use of organs and tissues derived from transgenic animals.
3. The allocation of the healthcare means.
4. The patentability in xenotransplantation