Life at all costs: European precautionary policies on xenotransplantation
by Jan Reinert Karlsen, Roger Strand, Jan Helge Solbakk
International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management (IJRAM), Vol. 12, No. 1, 2009

Abstract: Xenotransplantation is becoming an independent political and regulatory issue. Most national regulations and international recommendations prescribe a precautionary approach, including strict monitoring and surveillance of patients. This is due to the risk of xenosis, a disease induced by non-human biological material. The paper shows how the precautionary approach violates fundamental principles of medical ethics, and might violate human rights and European values. Accordingly, the important question is whether to allow xenotransplantation at all, given the risk of xenosis. Indeed, if the precautionary approach recommended by the Council of Europe is implemented, the concept of 'inclusive governance' becomes at best unclear and at worst contradictory and unviable. Can there be an inclusive governance process that democratically leads to an ethical state of exception becoming routine?

Online publication date: Thu, 26-Mar-2009

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management (IJRAM):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com