Lesson: Xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is a process that involves transplanting organs or tissues from one species to another. This lesson deals explicitly with transplanting organs from pigs into humans. The idea is to use animal organs, specifically pig organs, to help alleviate the shortage of human organs available for transplant. However, concerns have been raised about using pig organs in human transplantation. Could animal viruses be transmitted to humans? Pigs carry several viruses that can infect humans. There is a possibility that some viruses could mutate and cause harm. There are also ethical concerns surrounding the use of animals in medical research and transplantation. Is it unethical to use animals for human benefit, especially when alternative solutions exist? Xenotransplantation has the potential to save countless lives. However, valid concerns must be addressed before it can become a viable go-to option for human transplantation.


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Example Article

Each conversation topic is based on a theme. In order to help students acquire a basic understanding of that topic, four media articles are provided for them to read. I will never test you on the articles, but I strongly suggest you book lessons far enough in advance to give yourself enough time to properly prepare. The better prepared you are, the more benefit you will receive from our conversations.

Below is an example article for this conversation topic.