# Jewish Perspectives on Porcine Xenotransplantation: Balancing Religious Ethics and Medical Necessity in Israel

## TL;DR

This study examines Jewish views on using pig organs for transplants, finding that religious knowledge affects acceptance despite pork prohibitions.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach to understanding Jewish attitudes toward xenotransplantation, linking religious knowledge to medical acceptance.

## Key findings

- Religious knowledge significantly influences attitudes toward xenotransplantation.
- Participants showed varied acceptance of pig-organ transplants based on their understanding of Jewish law.
- Recommendations are provided to improve cultural competence and informed consent for Jewish patients.

## Abstract

Due to the shortage of human organs, this study explores the Jewish perspectives on the permissibility of using pig organs in transplantation. Despite the religious prohibition of consuming pork, Jewish law allows their use for life-saving medical procedures. Our study surveyed 916 Jewish participants, examining their knowledge of religious rulings and their attitudes toward six medical applications of pig-organ transplants. We found that the degree of religious knowledge significantly influences the respondents’ attitudes. Herein, we provide recommendations for enhancing the cultural competence of medical practitioners and improving the informed consent process for Jewish patients for whom xenotransplantation is recommended.