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Xenotransplantation - the New Zealand situation
In October 2008, the Minister of Health gave approval for a clinical trial of transplanting pig cells into humans.
In New Zealand, a moratorium on clinical xenotransplantation (transplantation from non-human animals to humans) had been extended until 31 December 2006. Xenotransplantation was included in the Ministry of Health's Review of Regulation of Human Tissue and Tissue-Based Therapies.
The Bioethics Council held public dialogue until 20 May 2005 on xenotransplants and accepted public submissions.
The NZ Government assured us that there would be further opportunity for public consultation when the Review of Human Tissue was completed and the relevant legislation introduced.
However, in a stealthy move, the Government buried new xenotransplant regulations deep in the body of the Therapeutic Products and Medicines Bill - which would hand control of xenotransplants to an Australian-dominated committee.
There was extensive public input into other Government and quasi-Government discussion, regulation and legislation involving xenotransplantation. But, for this Bill, NZAVS were the only written submitters to mention xenotransplantation. This after we stumbled across the xenotransplantation clauses at the last minute.
As at the end of December 2009, the Bill is still on the Order Paper.
How can I make my voice heard ?
Write to the Minister of Health:
Minister of Health
c/o Parliament Buildings
Wellington
New Zealand
(no postage stamp required for postage within New Zealand)
Urge the Minister to permanently ban xenotransplantation.
What are some key points to make to the Minister?
- That you believe that the risks of cross-species infection warrant the listing of xenotransplantation as a prohibited procedure under legislation.
- That there be no provision in legislation to remove xenotransplantation from a list of prohibited procedures (ie it can't be removed at the discretion of the Minister of Health or Agriculture or Environment of the day, or by a panel or "ethics committee", or there is no automatic time-period where the prohibition expires or is reviewed, eg 5 years).
- That the results of transplantation between two non-human species can not be used to assess the safety or effectiveness for transplantation involving humans. That transplantation (experimental or otherwise) between two different non-human species should be also prohibited.
- That, aside from the risks of cross-species infection, there are other reasons not to approve xenotransplants. These reasons include failure rate, organ rejection, Maori values, animal welfare, environmental degradation, financial costs etc. However the risk of cross-species infection is enough on its own to warrant prohibition of xenotransplantation.
Bioethics Council
What was the Bioethics Council?
The Bioethics Council was a Ministerial Advisory Committee that reports to the New Zealand Government on public views regarding issues involving biotechnology. The Council's advice was not binding on the Government. However, the Council claimed that the Government indicated "it will pay very close attention to the Council's advice and/or recommendations".
What opportunities were there for input into the Bioethics Council?
Consultation on xenotransplantation closed on 20 May 2005.
NZAVS Submission to the Bioethics Council
What was the outcome of the Bioethics Council's investigation into xenotransplantation?
The Bioethics Council reported in December 2005 to the Minister for the Environment that the Council considered cultural, ethical and spiritual factors and they "believe that xenotransplant decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis".
What about scientific grounds?
The Bioethics Council reported that "it is not our [the Council's] role to say whether or not xenotransplantation is safe or effective."
NZAVS Media Release regarding the Bioethics Council report
