Engaging the public in the regulation of xenotransplantation: would the Canadian model of public consultation be effective in the US?

Abstract

The value of engaging the public in science policymaking is becoming increasingly controversial. In the US, however, the regulation of biotechnologies remains in the domain of the scientific elite. By contrast, Canada recently conducted a very public process aimed at including the public in the regulation of xenotransplantation. Members of the US xenotransplantation community were asked to comment on the public consultation process with specific attention given to the Canadian consultation on xenotransplantation. These scientists agreed that gathering public opinion is usually desirable but expressed some serious concerns about the methods used to gather these opinions. They challenged the notion of an informed public as defined by the organizers of the Canadian consultation. Therefore, in order for the Canadian model of public consultation to be well received in the US, there would have to be more stringent adherence to representative sampling and more rigorous public education strategies.