General
Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of viable organs or other tissues (e.g. bone or cells) from animals to humans, or the use of viable animal tissue extra-corporeally, perhaps as part of a medical device.
There is currently no legislation which specifically regulates xenotransplantation, but there are other statutory provisions which touch upon it. For example, the welfare of animals which have been genetically modified for xenotransplantation purposes is covered by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The subject-matter of that Act, which regulates the use of animals for experimental or scientific purposes (including vivisection), is reserved by Section B7. A non‑statutory body, the UK Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) exists to monitor and regulate developments in the xenotransplantation field.
The Scottish Parliament has legislative competence over the regulation of other types of transplantation, notably the removal and therapeutic use of human organs and tissues for the purposes of transplantation into other humans, and in dealing in such organs and tissues.