Do religious beliefs influence the acceptance of xenotransplantation? Veterinary students.

BACKGROUND

Xenotransplantation could be a source of organs for transplantation given the global organ shortage. It is important to know the opinion and variables that influence the acceptance of xenotransplantation of the professionals who will work in the genetic manipulation, production, and care of animals to be used for this purpose.

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the influence of religious beliefs on the attitude toward xenotransplantation in veterinary students.

METHODS

The study population included 2683 veterinary students from different courses and Spanish Universities. Instrument evaluation included a validated self-administered and anonymously completed questionnaire (PCID-XENOTx-Ríos). The survey was self-administered and completed anonymously. Consent to collaborate in the study was requested. Variables for the study included attitude toward xenotransplantation and toward religion, considering the following options: practicing Catholic, nonpracticing Catholic, non-Catholic, and atheist/agnostic. Statistics were performed using descriptive analysis, Student t test, -X, and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Of the total number of participants, 7 did not answer this question. Those in favor of xenotransplantation were 92.9% (n = 247) of practicing Catholics, 92.8% (n = 812) of nonpracticing Catholics, and 87.3% (n = 69) of those professing another non-Catholic religion compared with 93.5% (n = 1361) of those considering themselves agnostic/atheist (P = .037).

CONCLUSIONS

Religion is an influential factor in attitudes toward organ xenotransplantation. Those who practice Catholicism and those who consider themselves agnostic/atheist are more accepting of organ procurement for transplantation than those who practice other religious doctrines.