The plight of a patient waiting months, sometimes years, for an organ transplant is one of the most heart-wrenching predicaments confronting medicine today. But the current critical shortage of human donor organs has had one positive consequence: it has stimulated promising new research into the field of xenotransplantation--the transplantation of organs from one animal species to another.
In Xeno: The Promise of Transplanting Animal Organs Into Humans, David Cooper and Robert Lanza explore what may become one of the greatest medical advances of the 21st century. As scientists genetically engineer animal organs to evade the problems of rejection, we can expect a tremendous increase in xenotransplantation. This book recounts the several historical attempts to transplant animal organs into humans, and draws attention to the immense potential and promise of this form of therapy. The problems which remain, and recent breakthroughs in overcoming rejection and in "humanizing" pig organs for transplantation, are fully discussed. The authors also provide a fascinating consideration of the social and ethical questions posed by such procedures. Which patients should be the first to be offered this new form of therapy? Will transplanted animal organs transfer infectious viruses to the human recipient, and will they then be passed on to the community at large? Can society afford
the major increase in healthcare expenditure that will result from our ability to provide a limitless number of donor organs?
With profound implications for human health and longevity in the next millennium, Xeno is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of medicine.
Industry Reviews
"A concise and thorough analysis."--Journal of American Medical Association
"Xeno offers both scientific and lay readers a lively, cogent, and comprehensive account of the scientific and ethical issues surrounding the use of animal organs and tissues for human transplantation."--Nature Biotechnology
"Whereas the 20th century gave us the ability to perform open heart surgery and organ transplantation, the 21st century will offer us the capability of transplanting animal organs and cells into humans. XENO provides a fascinating review of previous and current scientific and surgical efforts in this field, with excellent discussions of its ethical, legal, and financial implications. It is a readable and balanced book, and will intrigue and stimulate
anyone interested in what medicine may be able to offer within the next few years."--Christian N. Barnard, M.D.
"Whereas the 20th century gave us the ability to perform open heart surgery and organ transplantation, the 21st century will offer us the capability of transplanting animal organs and cells into humans. XENO provides a fascinating review of previous and current scientific and surgical efforts in this field, with excellent discussions of its ethical, legal, and financial implications. It is a readable and balanced book, and will intrigue and stimulate
anyone interested in what medicine may be able to offer within the next few years."--Christiaan N. Barnard, M.D.
"In their book, XENO, David Cooper and Robert Lanza have performed a genuine service for professionals interested in xenotransplantation, and for the public at large. Their highly readable book is written with the authority that comes only with deep personal involvement and expertise. Anyone interested in the scientific, legal, economic, ethical, and moral aspects of this great medical frontier would be well advised to start by reading
XENO."--Thomas E. Starzl, M.D., Professor of Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, University of Pittsburgh.
"Xenotransplantation has enormous potential as a form of therapy for end-stage organ failure and cell replacement therapy. It is therefore a subject worthy of the attention of anyone with an interest in the medical progress we can hope to witness in the 21st century. This book, by two experts in this field, is aimed at the interested lay person as well as at scientists and physicians. Drs. Cooper and Lanza cover this exciting and rapidly developing field
comprehensively and in a very readable style, which can be understood and enjoyed both by their scientific colleagues and by those with minimal scientific background. I would strongly recommend it to
anyone wishing to keep abreast of current medical advances."--David H. Sachs, M.D., Professor of Surgery (Immunology), Harvard Medical School, Director, Transplantation Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital
"In this book...the authors, both recognized experts in the field, delve into the many complex problems associated with animal organ transplantation. They provide stimulating information on everything from the mechanism of organ rejection to the major impact xenotransplatation will have on health care economics...and the exciting advances that can be anticipated within the next few years."--from the Foreword by Robin Cook, MD, bestselling author of
Coma and Chromosome 6.
"The authors highlight the need, history, problems, and ethics of xenotransplantation in an easy-to-read book. The succinct and well-written sections of the history of xenotransplantation and the current barriers to success are very satisfying." - Brent Miller, MD, Doody's
"Xeno offers both scientific and lay readers a lively, cogent, and comprehensive account of the scientific and ethical issues surrounding the use of animal organs and tissues for human transplantation."--Nature Biotechnology
"A concise and thorough analysis."--Journal of American Medical Association
