A Critical Examination of the Species Divide and the Impact of Xenotransplantation on Human Identity

Abstract

Xenotransplantation is the transfer of living tissues, cells or organs between members of different species of class Animalia. There is, however, a massive shortage of human organs for those who might require transpalants and becauseof this demand there is need for a steady supply. Researchers have discovered that there exists a large supply of animal organs, cells and tissues, compatible wit’h human tissues, that could be used to curb the high demand of xenografts courtesy of xenotransplantation. In order for this process to besuceed in clinical settings, the current challanges facing XTP with regard to immunological and physiological challanges have to to be addressed and resolved. Though slow, there has been significant progress in the development of XTP as a field over the years and with the growth of biotechnology, the barriers and risks threatening the practicality of XTP are, through proving to be manageable for instance, technology now provides for the option of injecting human genes into animal organs so that they can become aclimatized to humanness in readiness for XTP. However, as a medical practice, xenotransplantation raises a major philosophical challenge: If a human person can live with the support of animal organs, does this not mean that his humanity wholy rests on the support of this very animal organ? And if truly human beings are defined by their rationality, does this not equally mean that the human rationality is supported by the animal organ?. This then raises a philosophical question of human identity. Among the goals of this study is to demonstrate the impact of xenotransplantation on the identity of a human person, considering that what ought to humanise the person is not only the body but the body and the mind, which is a complex of elements within an individual that reasons (rationality). The objectives of this study are to; interrogate the species divide with specific focus on Xenotransplantation and human identity as well a frame the legal issues that might arise. The working assumptions are that XTP does not alter human identity and that legal implications and temperamental issues are bound to arise both in relation to the process and to the potential recepient. These shall be achieved through the critical analysis of library material that shall include but not limited to journals and articles. The study is based on John Lockes conceptualization of personal identity as the ability to have a holistic memory that has no traces of blackouts over time. The study therefore seeks a metaphysical and biomedical approach in addressing the impact of XTP on various elements in the society,focus being on identity. In its findings, this study holds that, XTP impacts on more or less on human identity depending on the organs involved and how these organs are closely related to human identity for instance the eyes or the heart, ones own notion of personal identity and the collective attitude of the donor animal. General fear of behavioural change to exhibit that of the donor is also inherent as literature proves that there are certain levels that might allow interconnectedness between donor and recipient to occur leading to temperamental changes that might vary from extreme anxiety to feelings of self denial that are detremental to ones self perception. XTP has a great impact on various elements of the society and how it works, it is recommended that further research that takes into account the time intervals as the impacts emerge and the extent to which these impacts cause a change in society be conducted.