What is the procedure of xenotransplantation?

Xenotransplantation specifically refers to the transplantation of organs, tissues, or cells from one species to a different species. This practice is being explored as a potential solution to the shortage of human organs available for transplantation, as it may offer a viable alternative by using animal organs, such as those from pigs or other genetically modified species, for human recipients. The approach raises a number of ethical, immunological, and biological challenges, but at its core, xenotransplantation directly facilitates the transfer of biological material across species barriers, which is what distinguishes this procedure from other forms of transplantation. In contrast, transplantation of organs within the same species is typically referred to as allotransplantation, while gene therapy involves modifying genetic material to treat or prevent disease and organ removal techniques do not pertain specifically to the concept of transplantation.