שימוש בטיפול רפואי המופק מחזיר (לא בבליעה)

למירב שלום

לוטה העתק תמצית פסק ההלכה שכתבתי בחורף תשס"ה (דצמבר 2004). פסק ההלכה מסתמך על מקורות רבים בתלמוד ובפוסקים, והוא מדבר בעד עצמו

המעוניין בהרחבה של המקורות רשאי לפנות אלי בדוא"ל. בנוסף מומלץ לעיין בשו"ת ישועת משה לגרי"מ אהרונסון, ח"ג סי' קיז עמ' רנד-רנו, ובמקורות המצויינים שם

בברכה

הרב ד"ר מרדכי הלפרין

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The position of Jewish Halachah towards Curosurf®

(a porcine derived surfactant)

A summary document

Facts

Curosurf® (poractant alfa) is an intratracheal suspension used by healthcare professionals for the prevention and treatment of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. The active ingredient of this natural surfactant is the phospholipid fraction obtained from porcine lung.

The fact that Curosurf is obtained from porcine lung, may raise some halachic questions related to its use for Jewish people, as the hog is one of the major symbols of forbidden animals in Jewish tradition.

Halachic topics

The halachic discussion is associated with 4 topics:

1. The bans related to pigs: prohibition of eating pork; trade prohibition with forbidden animals; and the specific taboo against growing pigs, which has a special severity if it is done in the Land of Israel.

2. The halachic distinction between intratracheal infiltration and esophageal insertion (normal eating).

3. The well-established principle of Jewish halachah, that life-saving procedure takes precedence over the observance of most halachic rulings.

4. The fact that the natural surfactant originally developed at Italy is still manufactured there and shows no influence on the taboo against growing pigs in the Land of Israel.

The introduction of surfactant replacement therapy has contributed to the dramatic decrease of mortality in the premature: in the 1980s (prior to surfactant) a baby born around 28 week gestational age had a 50-70% survival rate whilst nowadays that same baby has a 90% chance of survival. Therefore it should be considered as a life-saving procedure.

Halachic conclusion

The use of Curosurf® as surfactant replacement therapy is clearly permitted according to the strict Jewish Halachah.

Rabbi Mordechai Halperin, M.D. ז' טבת תשס"ה

December 19, 2004