'Population and xenografts' investigation: preliminary findings.

The chronic shortage of human organs is the argument for xenotransplantatio n. In emergencies, acceptability is closely linked to the benefit. Little i nformation is available on attitudes towards xenotransplantation. A poll of the attitudes was carried out, based on a questionnaire with targeted ques tions and background information. The goal of the study was to have a bette r understanding of people's attitudes towards xenotransplantation and to kn ow the eventual changes in the answers after having been given information. For 75% of the sample, xenotransplantation would be a future biotechnology , The animal sources that would be considered for xenotransplantation were the pig and monkey. A period of ten years or more is necessary for 69% of t he respondents before xenografts are performed routinely; for 19%, five yea rs or less are needed. Human organ donation should be continued, according to 90% of the sample. Roughly, 46.4% support xenotransplantation, though in the case of a life-or-death situation acceptance reaches 65.7%. This level is higher (77%) for relatives or unknown people (71%); 74% of respondents were in favour of using normal animals acid a large majority (88%) support research on xenotransplantation. A good level of confidence in medical biot echnology research and practice is suggested by this study, contrary to the results of a European survey on biotechnology. (C) 2000 Editions scientifi ques et medicales Elsevier SAS.