Xenotransplantation: Let's start stalling

Now there are two main ethical objections to xenotransplation:

1. It's gross.
2. It causes extreme, gratutious suffering to animals.

There are also a few other technical objections to xenotransplantation.

1. There are massive issues of rejection.
2. It will take a long time to get right.
3. The possibility of diseases transfering accross the species barrier.

This little piece is going to draw on the technical objections to add another ethical one. I know this breaks the fact/value distinction, but I think my argument holds up quite well. In short, it is that a focus on xenotransplation is a waste of time. It diverts research attention away from a transplantation technique that will be much more effective once implemented. There is something else in the pipeline that will be more effective at meeting xenotransplantation's aims, and will be easier to develop in the long rong. It has the advantage of not needing to harm animals, will have no rejection issues, and

Xenotransplantation requires major technical hurdles to get through, and ethical issues to overcome, and will cause much sufferring when it is available. SCNT only has two of those problems, at least for cell therapies, which is what will most likely occur straight away.

SCNT is cloning, but the fact that we find it a bit icky, doesn't mean it wont save lives. Come on world! Stop getting so precious, and start doing meaningful research into stem cells. The treatment that, highly intelligent and emotional, animals will have to endure is horriffic. If that doesn't need to happen, we shouldn't let it!