Xenotransplantation of Porcine-Derived Products: Attitudes of Muslims and Jews Based on Religion, Culture, Ethical Views, and Perceived Knowledge

Background/Objectives: Xenotransplantation with genetically modified pig organs offers a potential response to the global shortage of donor organs. Although both Islam and Judaism may permit exceptions when treatment is medically necessary, public awareness of these rulings remains limited. This study examined knowledge and attitudes among Muslim and Jewish adults regarding the medical use of porcine-derived organs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 884 Muslims and 916 Jews aged 18–81 years. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire distributed through convenience and snowball sampling. Six organ-specific items assessed perceived religious knowledge using six ordered permissibility categories and a separate “I don’t know” option, and attitudes using a 7-point Likert scale. Results: Across the six knowledge items, 15.08% of Muslim responses and 9.83% of Jewish responses were “I don’t know.” Mean composite Knowledge scores were 2.69 and 2.49, respectively (p = 0.025; d = −0.113, Jewish minus Muslim). Composite Opinion means were 3.04 and 2.87 (p = 0.092; d = −0.080). The mediation model included 772 Muslims and 846 Jews; adjusted Knowledge–Opinion coefficients were β = 0.95 and 0.79. The free model was saturated (df = 0); constraining all 13 structural coefficients to equality across groups worsened fit (Δχ2(13) = 2718.19, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Public awareness of religious considerations surrounding porcine-derived transplantation was limited. The findings support culturally sensitive education and informed-consent processes while respecting individual autonomy and variation within religious communities. Strong Knowledge–Opinion associations require caution about common-method effects and do not establish causal mediation or actual treatment choices.