Public Consultation on Xenotransplantation Trial

Dear NZSSD Member,

The National Health Committee have contacted the NZSSD Executive indicating that there will be a period of Public Consultation on the application by Living Cells Technologies to undertake a xenotransplantation research trial in New Zealand for people with Type 1 diabetes. Because the National Health Committee are expected to report back to the Minister of Health on August 6th the time period for public consultation is very short. The NZSSD Executive will provide an oral submission some time between the 16th and 25th of July.

Clearly it is important for you to have your voice heard on this matter.


You have two options:

  1. You can contact the National Health Committee and request an oral or written submission: http://www.nhc.health.govt.nz/
  2. You can contact the NZSSD Executive with your views and the Executive will incorporate them into their oral submission.


The Executive would like to hear from all members so that an informed submission, representative of as many members as possible, is provided to the National Health Committee. Specifically, could you please answer the following questions:

  1. Do you agree with the NZSSD Executive Position Statement on Xenotransplantation published in November 2007? This can be found on: http://www.nzssd.org.nz/xenotransplantation.html
  2. Do you have any other comments to make?


Please reply by Friday 11th July to the NZSSD Executive by emailing: info@nzssd.org.nz

We will forward any other information that comes to our attention on this matter as soon as possible.


Yours sincerely, NZSSD Executive