Doc. 8050

24 March 1998

Xeno-transplantation

Motion for a recommendation

presented by Mr Plattner and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       Transplanting animal organs, tissues and cells into humans is known as xeno-transplantation. Whereas such transplants were considered almost impossible some years ago, the advance of research in transplant technology is such that they could shortly become a clinical reality.

2.       The shortage of organs of human origin for transplants promises a bright economic future for xeno-transplantation. Several companies are preparing to enter this market, which is estimated at several billion ecus within ten to fifteen years.

3.       The organs used in xeno-transplants are genetically modified to resemble more closely the original human organs, thus lowering the risk of rejection. Pigs have been chosen as the most suitable donor animals because of their biological resemblance to humans and because of low infection risks.

4.       Such organs, tissues or cells may however carry viruses that are unknown in humans and for which humans therefore have no natural defence mechanisms. Transfer of such viruses to humans by xeno-transplantation may cause man-made pandemics.

5.       Viruses do not observe any national borders. It is therefore important to discuss the risks involved in xeno-transplantation at international level. It should be recalled, that Ebola and Marburg monkey viruses have caused large disease outbreaks in humans, and that there is compelling evidence that “HIV” originated from monkey retroviruses. Studies are under way to check whether pigs used in xeno-transplantation may have caused the development of diseases in humans.

6.       Before proceeding with clinical xeno-transplantations, more research experience on possible disease transmission to humans, on the risks of causing pandemics and on possible control measures, must be obtained.

7.       The Assembly, considering the gravity of this potential public health problem and considering that the Council of Europe has considerable experience in the field of biomedicine, including work on organ transplantation, recommends that the Committee of Ministers ask the Steering Committee on Bioethics (CDBI) to study as a matter of urgency the public health problems, that may arise from clinical xeno-transplantations, with a view to assessing the advisability of proposing an appropriate legally binding European and global moratorium for clinical xeno-transplantations, while continuing research in this area, until the risks of the development of man-made pandemics are thoroughly understood.

Signed : ¹

Plattner, Switzerland, SOC

Beaufays, Belgium, EPP/CD

Berceanu, Romania, SOC

Etherington, United Kingdom, SOC

Faldet, Norway, SOC

Fernandez-Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD

Ivanov, Bulgaria, EPP/CD

Newall, United Kingdom, EDG

Olrich, Iceland, EDG

Raskinis, Lithuania, EPP/CD

Roseta, Portugal, EPP/CD

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Tiuri, Finland, EDG

Uroic, Croatia, EPP/CD

Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left