Religion and Xenotransplantation (Raboan Discussion Forum)

Wednesday, February 16, 2022, the Raboan Discussion Forum was again held by the Center of Bioethics and Medical Humanities (CBMH FK-KMK UGM) with the title Religions and Xenotransplantation. The title was presented by the speaker Prof. Syafaatun Almirzanah Ph.D from Prof. Syafaatun Almirzanah Ph.D., Center for Religion and Sciences Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University. Meanwhile, the moderator was Dr. Nur Azid Mahardinata from CBMH FK-KMK UGM.

Prof. Syafaatun or who is usually called by the name of Prof. Shafa raised an issue that has recently been widely discussed, namely the transplantation of a pig heart into the body of a heart failure patient named David Bennet, who is 57 years old. The male patient was reported to be in a terminal condition so xenotransplantation had to be performed. Based on developments, it is known that David Bennet has improved after surgery. Prof. Shafa added that the procedure carried out on David Bennet had been authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“It says here that if he is transplanted with a human heart his condition is too sick, so the FDA there authorized him to be given a transplant from a genetically authored pig,” said Prof. Shafa
The practice of Xenotransplantation has been done decades ago. The most famous example is Baby Fae who received a liver transplant from a primate. Baby Fae reportedly lived for 12 days after surgery.
Several ethical and social implications overshadow the development of this biotechnology. Among them is the patient’s consent which will continue to be monitored for life. Another issue is fairness and equity regarding the allocation of organs. In addition, this practice has potential in terms of social and psychological impact.

Prof. Shafa then brought the discussion to the discussion of Xenotransplantation in religion. According to Prof. Shafa, most religions can accept this technology despite the debate. The issue that is quite crucial is the process of human creation. Xenotransplantation is considered to be able to obscure the uniqueness of human identity because humans have been created by God in a form that later becomes their self-esteem. Another opinion from the Catholic Religion says that Xenotransplantation can be done but is not allowed for human brain organs and also human genitals. This is because the two organs involve self-esteem as human beings.

Another issue that is also a concern is the fear of technology making humans too late to create a Frankenstein (undead) that can attack its creator. There are fears of manipulation of human cells that could make the creation too late and harm other humans.