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Question
I am a college Biology professor in the United States. During a class discussion about the human heart, a student asked me where natural heart valves used for heart valve replacement surgery came from. When I told him that most were from pigs he asked me whether I knew if Jewish patients could receive these valves because of the religious prohibition on pork. Could you kindly enlighten me. Thank you.
Answer
Pig valves are acceptable; mechanical valves are also an option. An interesting aside: for those Jews who don't observe the dietary laws, there is a greater probability of allergic reaction to the pig valve! I don't know the number of traditional Jews who, if given the choice, are allowed to prefer a mechanical valve. Only eating pork or ingredients from pork is forbidden. Similarly pigskin is acceptable for shoes.
Best
Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation
for Family Education (FFFE)
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