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A Voice for All Animals

New York Times Article Advocates For Xenotransplantions

October 10, 2001

Letters to the Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Fax: 212-556-3622

Dear Editor,

In Facing Off: Transplants From Pigs to People (10-2-01), xenotransplant researcher Dr. David K. Cooper advocates for xenotransplantation (animal to human transplants) even though it is a costly endeavor for the American taxpayer and bodes a potentially devastating risk to humankind.

Cooper claims one far-fetched benefit of xenotransplantation is that it will be less expensive than current allotransplants (human to human transplants). He avoids mentioning that the United States is spending millions of dollars on developing risky and unsuccessful xenotransplant procedures.

Xenotransplantation is expected to be at least a $6 billion market. Meanwhile, roughly 43 million Americans are without health insurance coverage. Spending taxpayers’ money to help develop the unpromising and even dangerous option of xenotransplantation when there are better and safer options is poor government spending-and a risk to humans everywhere.

Sincerely,

Ann Stauble
Director of Research and Investigations

For further information, contact Melinda Everett, APR, Director of Media and Public Relations: 617-523-6020 x17 or meverett@ma.neavs.com.