Public perception of xenotransplantation and its implication for policy and regulation: Lessons learnt from a qualitative study of the Swedish public

Abstract

Xenotransplantation advances rapidly. Its cross-species nature creates regulatory challenges different from those in allotransplantation. Public opinions are promoted as an essential element in developing responsible governance of this technology. This study takes a qualitative thematic approach to analyse data collected through a questionnaire (n=136) among the Swedish public. The aim is, first, to analyse how respondents articulate concerns, hopes, and moral evaluations regarding XT, and second, to reflect on what these responses reveal about the methodological conditions required for meaningful public engagement in the development of regulatory frameworks for emerging biomedical technologies. The findings demonstrate that public views are not directly associated to technical assessment of risk and benefit but are anchored in shifting sociocultural perceptions regarding human survival, animal welfare and vulnerability as individuals move between different scenarios. We conclude that developing policy and regulations of xenotransplantation requires continuous engagement with the underlying public opinions. We learned that meaningful public engagement with emerging biomedical technologies involves sustained processes of familiarisation, communication, and dialogue between science, society, and policy.