Policies surrounding xenotransplantation, and many other emerging high-technology interventions, must balance opportunity and risk. Whereas traditional stakeholders, such as the researcher community, government agencies and the commercial sector, readily contribute to the debates that influence policies, the voice of the public is seldom heard. Not only does this raise ethical concerns but also it might ultimately prove to be shortsighted. Before any country settles unilaterally on comprehensive policies governing the practice of xenotransplantation, well-informed public opinions need to be taken into account.