Some analysts believe the proposed monitoring would never survive a challenge based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So far, attempts to transplant animal organs to humans have been largely unsuccessful because the organs are rejected by the human immune system. Scientists are trying to overcome this problem by adding human genes to animal cells to make them more acceptable to the human immune system. But there are cross-species experiments with animals. A researcher at the Robarts Research Institute in London, Ont., has transplanted the kidneys of more than 20 genetically modified pigs into baboons.
Some researchers say xenotransplantation is set to become a major industry.
At least a dozen major companies are said to be looking at it. The Health Department has already drafted guidelines to regulate xenotransplantation if the decision is made to proceed. It would be unusual for the department to prepare draft regulations if was not seriously considering a go-ahead, but spokesman Andrew Swift said there has been no decision in principle. The discussion paper says that xenotransplantation was banned in the United Kingdom some years ago, and that it is not being done in the United States. However, material on the Health Canada Web site says xenotransplantation studies involving humans have been approved in the United States.