Happy to take animal organs, unless it’s Spot

Researchers in Queensland have found that most people will happily accept cells and tissues from a dog or cat if it means a cure for their disease - but only if the animal is bred expressly for xenotransplantation.

Scientists have long thought people would not accept organs from animals which were usually kept as household pets, or from primates, such as baboons and chimpanzees. But a researcher from the Queensland University of Technology, Peta Cook, found most people were not that fussy.

“It’s fascinating because scientists have always categorised animals by their species, but it seems that individuals are more likely to look at an animal’s purpose,” Ms Cook said.

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Tagged as: Animal Research, Baboons, Cats, Chimpanzees, Dogs, Human Medicine, Pets, Xenotransplantation

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