ABSTRACT
Xenotransplantation procedures involving both whole organs and tissues will probably be developed to a level of clinical relevance within the next decade (Alisky, 2004; Dorling, 2002; Hoerbelt and Madsen, 2004; Ye et al., 1994). Transgenic technologies will continue to be involved in the development of organs that would be resistant to host rejection phenomena. Most likely, a combined strategy of transgenic manipulation and improvement of immunosuppressive agents and techniques will be required to achieve success. Xenografic tissue implants, such as islet cells for diabetic patients, are likely to be developed prior to whole-organ transplantation of such organs as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Swine are generally considered to be the most likely species to be utilized in clinical xenografic procedures. Primates are likely to be utilized only during initial experimental procedures because of supply, public health, and ethical considerations.
