Americans are increasingly designating themselves as organ donors. Fifty-five percent of whites surveyed and one third of blacks and Hispanics plan to be organ donors. These numbers are up from one third and one quarter, respectively, in 1992, when NKF conducted a similar opinion poll. Only two-thirds of those who say they are willing to donate organs of a loved one are themselves designated as organ donors. People with children are slightly more likely to be organ donors than those with no children under 19.
Men have more positive initial reactions to xenotransplantation than women do.
Those practicing a faith and even agnostics say the clergy could influence their acceptance of xenotransplantation. At least half of the transplant physicians surveyed are willing to give xenotransplantation 10 years or more before it is required to show success. The majority of them do not see cross-species infections as a particularly high risk. The medical information contained on this site has been developed under the supervision and approval of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation. Confidentiality of data relating to visitors to this site, including their identity, is respected by the National Kidney Foundation.