Business
UAE amends organ transplant law to regulate use of non-human organs
The UAE Government has issued amendments to the Federal Decree-Law concerning the donation and transplantation of organs and tissues, marking a significant update to the country’s health regulatory framework.
The changes form part of ongoing efforts to strengthen patient safety, modernise medical legislation and align national standards with international therapeutic and technical practices.
The amendments expand the scope of the legislation to include non-human organs and tissues, and formally change the title of the law to “Concerning the Donation and Transplantation of Organs and Tissues.”
The updated text defines a “non-human organ” as including both animal organs and manufactured organs, establishing a clear regulatory basis for their use in advanced therapeutic procedures.
UAE organ transplants
The revised Federal Decree-Law aligns with global health policies that recognise the transplantation of animal-derived or manufactured organs as emerging treatment options, subject to robust clinical, technical and regulatory safeguards.
The amendments reaffirm the UAE’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law, providing modern, science-based treatment pathways and preventing unsafe or unregulated practices.
Under the new provisions, non-human organs and tissues may be transplanted only under strict conditions, including where they represent the most appropriate medical option for the patient’s condition.
The Decree-Law prohibits the removal of any animal organ for transplantation without a licence issued by the Ministry of Health and Prevention or the relevant health authority.
The amendments mandate full clinical and laboratory testing to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the non-human organ or tissue.
A specialist physician must ensure biological compatibility between the organ and the patient’s body, inform the patient or their legal representative of all potential and confirmed health implications, and obtain written consent prior to the procedure.
Non-human organs
A dedicated committee must approve the procedure before transplantation can proceed.
To ensure consistent national oversight, the Ministry will issue procedural guidelines, technical standards and updated regulatory templates.
A national database will be created at the National Centre to record all non-human organs used in transplantation, including the biological composition of manufactured organs, results of clinical trials and all related safety and efficacy data.
All stages of transplantation procedures must be documented comprehensively.
The UAE Cabinet is granted authority to establish the controls and procedures governing the transfer of non-human organs, their components and non-human tissues between health facilities in the UAE, or for transfers to and from the UAE.
The amended Federal Decree-Law also introduces stringent penalties for violations of the regulations governing the transfer or transplantation of non-human organs and tissues.
Penalties include imprisonment and fines ranging from not less than AED100,000 ($27,225) to not more than AED2m ($544,500), or one of the two.
These amendments reinforce the UAE’s commitment to advancing health legislation that keeps pace with scientific and biomedical innovation, including emerging organ manufacturing technologies and modernised transplantation practices.
