The fall of Icarus and xenotransplantation: an allegory on ethics
The Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus tells the story of Daedalus, a skilled craftsman, and his son Icarus. Daedalus was imprisoned by King Minos after he advised Princess Ariadne to give Theseus the thread to escape the Labyrinth, where the Minotaur was confined. In their bid for freedom, Daedalus and Icarus created wings made of wax and feathers fallen from the birds on the tower they were kept. Icarus, however, flew too close to the sun, causing his wings to melt and leading to his death. The myth serves as an allegory to convey the perils of hubris and the consequences of defying the laws of nature.
Xenotransplantation, or interspecies transplantation, denotes the intricate process of transferring organs or tissues from one species to another, most commonly performed using porcine sources for human recipients. This practice has emerged as a potential solution to address the acute organ shortage within the context of human transplants, a persistent challenge underlying a global health crisis.
Advancements in the fields of medicine and biotechnology have facilitated significant progress in this domain, through cutting-edge medical techniques and technological innovations that are fundamentally reshaping the landscape for xenotransplantation. Despite the increased feasibility brought about by technological advancements, the practice remains a subject of profound debate and controversy.
The multifaceted issues confronting proponents of xenotransplantation encompass the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework, ethical dilemmas related to the welfare of animals involved in the process, and theological considerations concerning the inherent “naturalness” of this practice. These interconnected concerns constitute a complex entanglement of challenges faced by xenotransplantation advocates.
In light of these considerations, it is known that such practices should raise several ethical issues, including the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, concerns about the welfare of genetically modified animals, and the establishment of an industry strictly for breeding pigs for transplantation. Additionally, the definition of “humanity” in the era of xenotransplantation has become a complex topic of debate in the realms of bioethics and philosophy.
Xenotransplantation connects to the allegory of Daedaleus and Icarus through the idea of challenging limits, balancing ambition and prudence, besides respecting the boundaries of nature while seeking innovations involving the relationship between humans and animals.
Questioning the systems of breeding and confinement of these animals is also questioning the direction of science. Pigs bred for organ transplants are kept in confined and sterile conditions to minimize the risk of pathogen proliferation, providing a (relatively) healthy and safe source for transplants. Needless to say, these conditions prove inadequate in accommodating the biological and psychological natures of these animals. In this sense, contemplating alternatives that avoid animal suffering is a necessary condition to guide new research.
There are several alternatives, which do not compete against each other, being developed to address the same problem of organ scarcity. Xenotransplantation is one of them, along with 3D bioprinting and organoids — human organs created from human stem cells. The clinical and pathological scenario will determine the applicability of the technique.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” — Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection
In this gold run, xenotransplantation is closer to being used in the clinic, as the other approaches still need to advance and mature in the realm of research.
