Article Abstract
International Journal of Advance Research in Multidisciplinary, 2026;4(3):141-144
Human Ends, Animal Use, and Moral Responsibility in Xenotransplantation: An Analysis from Kant’s Categorical Imperative
Author : Akhter Hussain and Dr. Jayashree Deka
Abstract
Xenotransplantation involves transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells from non-human animals into human beings using animal. It emerged as a promising response to the persistent shortage of human organs. However, xenotransplantation raises profound ethical questions concerning the moral status of animals, human dignity, informed consent, public health, animal welfare, and the limitations of biotechnology or genetic engineering (Daar et al. 2005). This paper examines xenotransplantation through the ethical philosophy of Immanuel Kant, with particular emphasis on the Categorical Imperative. Kant's moral philosophy requires rational agents to act according to principles that can be willed as universal laws and to treat humanity, in oneself and others, always as an end and never merely as a means (Kant, 1997). This paper argues that xenotransplantation cannot be categorically rejected by Kantian ethics, but neither can it be automatically justified merely because it serves human interests. A morally defensible Kantian approach would require universalizable practices, genuine informed consent, respect for human dignity, rigorous protection of public health, avoidance of unnecessary animal suffering, and the use of animals only where the practice can be justified by a morally serious human purpose. The paper tries to conclude that contemporary Kantian framework can support carefully regulated xenotransplantation while demanding significant restrictions on the instrumentalization and mistreatment of animals.
Keywords
Xenotransplantation, Kantian Ethics, Animal Welfare, Human Interests