Xenogreffe

Xenogreffe, also known as xenotransplantation, refers to the transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells from one species to another. Historically, the term "xenogreffe" has been used in French medical literature to describe this process, though the English term xenotransplantation is more widely recognized globally. The primary aim of xenogreffe is to address the severe shortage of human donor organs for transplantation.

The most common source of organs for xenogreffe has been pigs, due to their physiological similarities to humans, their rapid reproduction rates, and the ability to genetically modify them to reduce the risk of rejection. Other animals like baboons have also been considered, but ethical concerns and disease transmission risks are significant considerations.

Challenges in xenogreffe include hyperacute rejection, where the recipient's immune system immediately attacks the foreign tissue, and delayed rejection, which can occur weeks or months later. Another major hurdle is the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases, or xenosis, from the animal donor to the human recipient.

Despite these challenges, recent advancements in genetic engineering, particularly in modifying animal organs to be less immunogenic, have shown promising results in preclinical studies and early-phase human trials. These advancements have rekindled interest in xenogreffe as a potential solution to the organ donor crisis. Ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare and the potential impact on human health remain central to ongoing discussions and research in the field of xenogreffe.