Xenotransplantation and Risks: The Opinion of Veterinary Students at Spanish Universities.

BACKGROUND

Understanding the perception of the risks associated with xenotransplant, especially among professionals who will contribute to the care of the animals, is important for xenotransplant to become a clinical reality. The objective of this study was to analyze opinions regarding the risks of organ xenotransplant among veterinary university students in Spain.

METHODS

The study population was 2683 veterinary students from different courses and universities in Spain. Instrument valuation: Validated self-administered questionnaire completed anonymously (PCID-XENOTx-Ríos). Consent to collaborate in the study was requested. Variables for the study: attitude toward xenotransplant and risks (infectious, immunologic, ethical/moral, philosophical, religious, other unspecified risks).

STATISTICS: descriptive analysis, Student t test, χ2 test, and Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

Of the total number of respondents, 2646 students answered this question, with a completion rate of 98.6%. They considered immunologic risk 78.4% (n = 2074), infectious risk 48.6% (n = 1286), ethical/moral risk 10.7% (n = 284), philosophical risk 5.2% (n = 137), religious risk 1.5% (n = 40), and other risks 3.9% (n = 104). Significant relationships were observed between immunologic risks (P < .001), ethical/moral risks (P < .001), and other risks (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the consideration of different types of risks, the favorable attitude toward xenotransplant among veterinary students at Spanish universities is highly prevalent, and evidence-based information campaigns on the different risks associated with xenotransplant are important.