What is Xenotransplantation?

Xenotransplantation is transferring animal tissues, cells or organs into other species, including humans.

Infamous cases include the transfer of baboon heart into a newborn baby, known as ’Baby Fae’ in 1984. She lived only 20 days.

More recently, in the UK the company Imutran experimentation included the grafting of genetically engineered piglet organs into the necks, abdomens or chests of baboons and monkeys. Records show high numbers of the primates died from infection after transplants, which were performed by poorly trained surgeons.

The group Uncaged Campaign exposed the shocking practices of the company, and published them on the ’Diaries of Despair’ after a lengthy legal battle with the company.

Uncaged Campaign also state that Imutran tried to cover its abusive and careless treatment of the animals, and exaggerated the success of the pig-to-primate experiments by publishing selective data.