Xenotransplantation of cells for diabetes: is there a good acceptance rate among Spanish adolescents?

Abstract

Introduction: The transplantation of pancreatic islets from animals as a treatment for diabetes mellitus could help with the current diabetes problem. Considerable advances have been made in recent years, with recent publications reporting improved conditions for carrying out clinical trials using porcine islets in humans with type 1 diabetes. Our objectives were (1) to analyze the acceptance of cell xenotransplantation for diabetes among Spanish adolescents and (2) to determine the psychosocial variables that might affect their attitudes and its relationship with other types of donation.

Materials and methods: Random sampling was carried out among secondary school students in Spanish Schools. All subjects completed a validated questionnaire evaluating the acceptance of pancreatic islet xenotransplantation together with psychosocial aspects. Questionnaire completion was anonymous and self-administered. Student t test and the chi-square test were used for statistics.

Results: The total number of respondents surveyed was 3633, and the mean age of the respondents was 11 ± 18 years. Most of the respondents (62%; n = 2195) would accept cells of animal origin if they suffered diabetes, 28% (n = 1005) were unsure, and 10% (n = 340) were against xenotransplantation. There is no connection with sex, age/year of study, or country. A high level of acceptance of animal cells was found among those who had a favorable attitude toward deceased organ donation and the xenotransplantation of solid organs and animal tissues (P < .001).

Conclusions: Among Spanish adolescents, there was a good level of acceptance of the idea of using animal cells as a treatment for diabetes mellitus. Therefore, it would be beneficial to increase the information provided about these matters in secondary education to improve awareness further, as part of the general human organ donation and transplantation promotion campaigns.