Pig Kidney Can Function In Human For Over A Month

In the past, US surgeons transplanted a modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient. On Wednesday, they revealed that the organ still functioned properly after a record 32 days. This is a huge step in the quest to close the organ donation gap.

There has been a developing field of research targeting cross-species transplants and the latest experimental procedure is part of that. It has been tested on bodies that have been donated for scientific purposes.

Over 103,000 people are waiting for organs in the United States, and 88,000 of those need kidney transplants.

“We have a genetically edited pig kidney surviving for over a month in a human,” Robert Montgomery from the University of the New York University Langone Transplant Institute said.

He further said that he is convinced there is a very compelling story that exists at this point. He thinks he should give further assurance about starting some initial studies in living humans.

Montgomery did his first genetically modified pig kidney transplant to a human in September 2021. He did a similar procedure in November 2021.

Ever since then, there has been a handful of other cases, with all experiments stretching for 2-3 days.

Previous transplants had body parts with up to 10 genetic modifications. The latest one, however, had only one: in the gene involved in so-called “hyperacute rejection.”

This would occur within minutes of the animal organ being connected to the human circulatory system.

“We’ve now gathered more evidence to show that, at least in kidneys, just eliminating the gene that triggers a hyperacute rejection may be enough. This is along with clinically approved immunosuppressive drugs to successfully manage the transplant in a human for optimal performance—potentially in the long-term,” Montgomery said.

Apparently, both of the patient’s kidneys were removed and then the surgeons only transplanted one pig kidney. It immediately started producing urine.

The family of the 57-year-old male patient, Maurice “Mo” Miller made the research possible. They found him in his bathroom, unresponsive back in July. Doctors revealed that he had an aggressive form of brain cancer and would not wake up.

Check Also;

• Pig Kidney Works In Human Patient In Potential Miracle
• A Healthy Baby Girl Born Using Womb Transplanted From Dead Body
• Because Of American Hospital Care Being So Expensive, Employers Are Sending Their Workers Abroad For Treatment

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