The UAE explores the conditions and controls for transplanting non-human organs into the human body

The “Emirates Legislation” platform launched a new community participation, to express an opinion on the conditions and controls for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and tissues in the human body, (animal organ and manufactured organ), to ensure the establishment of requirements and conditions that are compatible with the expectations and needs of society, in a step that is considered the first of its kind at the level of health legislation in the country, and is also considered a qualitative shift for the transplantation of organs and tissues, as previous legislation was limited to the transfer of human organs and tissues only.

The model published in the Community Participation Unit, which was reviewed by Emirates Today, included seven main questions that addressed the importance of having a clear legislative framework for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and tissues, the expected benefits from regulating this field, the standards and controls necessary to ensure safety in the human body, and the procedures supporting the application within the health system in the country, in addition to the challenges and potential obstacles, development proposals, and the most prominent risks and considerations that must be taken into account when organizing the transplantation of non-human organs and tissues.

In detail, the “Emirates Legislation” platform, the official platform for the UAE government’s legislation, which is developed and supervised by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers in coordination with all concerned authorities, has proposed a new community participation to express an opinion on “conditions and controls for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and non-human tissues in the human body,” through the “Community Participation Unit.”

She explained that the transfer of non-human organs and tissues (animal organs and artificial organs) is considered a qualitative leap with regard to the issue of organ and tissue transplantation, as previous legislation was limited to the transfer of human organs and tissues only, so the process of transferring non-human organs and tissues requires efforts to ensure the establishment of requirements and conditions that are compatible with the expectations and needs of society.

She indicated that working on this decision requires enhancing the involvement of all concerned groups to ensure that their views are accompanied and studied from the technical aspects, by benefiting from their experiences and opinions on the points explained within the participation in expressing an opinion on the conditions and controls for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and non-human tissues in the human body.

It called for submitting insights and observations via a special form that it attached to the community participation form, during a period extending for a full month, starting from the launch date of participation on June 22, 2026.

The platform attached relevant legislation, which included Federal Decree Law No. (25) of 2023 regarding donation and organ and tissue transplantation, and Cabinet Resolution No. (61) of 2026 regarding the executive regulations of Federal Decree Law No. (25) of 2023 regarding donation and organ and tissue transplantation, in a way that strengthens the regulatory framework for participation and ensures consistency of proposals with the existing legislative system.

The community participation model included seven main questions, including the following: “How important is it to have a clear legislative framework for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and tissues?” What benefits can be achieved by regulating the conditions and controls for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and non-human tissues into the human body? What controls and standards must be adopted to ensure the safe use of non-human organs or tissues in the human body?

The questions attached to the form also included: “What procedures do you think can support the success of implementing the conditions and controls for the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and non-human tissues in the health system in the United Arab Emirates?” What are the most prominent challenges or obstacles expected in implementing the provisions related to the transfer and transplantation of non-human organs and non-human tissues in the human body?

The questions also included: “Do you have any additional suggestions or ideas that could contribute to developing this organization in an effective manner that ensures safety, governance, and compliance with medical and ethical standards?” What are the most prominent risks or considerations that come to your mind when the issue of transplanting non-human organs and tissues is raised, which must be taken into account when regulating their use in the human body?

This step falls within the activation of the “Community Participation Unit” in the Emirates Legislation Platform, which employs the community engagement approach in the platform with the aim of developing a mechanism for preparing and updating legislation and policies to involve all segments of society, including citizens and residents, entities and institutions at the federal and local government levels, and the private sector, in the process of preparing policies and legislation before they are issued, as well as updating policies and legislation in force through the creation of business groups that make it easier for specialists to make comments and suggestions about them.