Xenotransplantation– the process of transplating organs from animals to humans. Although it sounds like a cost-effective way of saving human lives and has been successful in cases where a pig kidney was transplanted into a human and functioned for 54 days, it comes with its hurdles, some of which are:

1. Rejection by the immune system (xenograft acceptance/hyperaccurate rejection): Even with another human donor, a transplanted organ can sometimes cause adverse effects due to the refusal of the recipient’s immune system to recognize the organ as its own. Animal organs also can cause such an immune response, leading scientists to engineer genetically modified animals that can make organs more compatible with humans.
2. Risk of being infected: Animals are known to carry viruses which can cause various lethal infections in the human body. They might also carry pathogens that may cause diseases in humans. This problem can be approached by using CRISPR technology to modify animals’ genes according to our needs.
3. Ethical issues and animal concerns: This can be a major problem as the process involves the exploitation of animals. We also cannot overlook the risks of the rise of novel diseases. The use of animals for transplantation might also rise against the terms of animal welfare and rights and the value of animals.

The entire concept of xenotransplantation involves a lot more than saving human lives. Its full-fledged use is still debated in society and might be frowned upon by some. But one cannot deny the growing need for organ transplantation and this might just be the answer to our problems, that is if scientists and researchers find a way to overcome the hurdles.