Xenotransplantation und Uterustransplantation: Neuland in der Transplantationsmedizin. Ethischer Klärungs- und gesetzlicher Regelungsbedarf

Currently, far-reaching innovations are emerging in the field of transplantation medicine, namely xenotransplantation and uterus transplantation. The former is still at a research stage whilst the latter, that is uterus transplantation on the basis of the removal of the uterus from a living donor or from a donor after cerebral death, is in the first stages of testing. Both these procedures concern fundamental questions of medical ethics. This article discusses the aforementioned procedures considering aspects of animal protection, health protection and the personal rights of patients. Furthermore, it seeks to examine possible implications such procedures may have on how we deal with children. With respect to xenotransplantation, the question must be raised, whether one day it will be permissible to transplant organs from animals to sick children. Regarding uterus transplantations, it must be considered whether this procedure is responsible towards a child in terms of the psychosocial problems and a high-risk pregnancy. – Meanwhile, there are plans to carry out uterus transplantations in Germany, too. They must be considered as a new type of organ transplantation that are not covered by the existing German Transplantation Law. German legislature must introduce new provisions regarding the harvesting of uteri from brain-dead women, including a narrowly defined consent solution.