Abstract
Appearing in this issue ofThe Journalis the first full scientific report of the "case of Baby Fae"—cardiac xenotransplantation in a neonate. Many emotional editorial comments about this case have appeared in the lay press and in respected scientific publications. Critical editorial commentary by peers, based on an impartial analysis of the scientific gathering of the facts, is now appropriate. The infant, born prematurely with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, an invariably fatal form of congenital heart disease, received the heart of a young female baboon in an uncomplicated surgical procedure on Oct 26, 1984. At the time of transplantation the infant was critically ill, and urgent surgical intervention was required if she was to survive even for a brief interval. Based on his own evaluation of the alternatives, Dr Bailey had offered xenotransplantation to the mother. The alternatives were three: a risky palliative surgical procedure, the Norwood procedure, 1
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