On October 12, groundbreaking findings were reported about a successful kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig to a monkey. This success, wherein the monkey survived for two years, marked a notable advancement in addressing the global organ shortage crisis.
Scientists have long been experimenting with a xenotransplantation – the process of transplanting organs or tissues between different species. One such study, involved transplanting kidneys from genetically edited pigs into monkeys. Monkeys with the full range of genetic edits survived over a year on average, compared to those without the edits, who lived for 50 days or less.
The genetic modifications on the pig kidneys almost all focused on reducing the risk of organ rejection. According to CBC News, researchers from eGenesis specifically knocked out genes responsible for sugars that could cause an immune reaction, as well as a porcine retrovirus gene. One monkey, with a genetically engineered pig kidney transplant, showed an impressive survival rate of over two years (758 days).
The driving force behind these studies is the severe global organ shortage. Over 100,000 Americans are currently on waiting lists for organs like kidneys, but there’s a scarcity of living donors. Xenotransplantation, particularly pig-to-human transplants, presents a hopeful solution, especially if organ rejection can be managed effectively.
Furthermore, this isn’t an isolated incident. Other institutions, like the University of Maryland, have delved into similar research. As per USA Today, a patient there lived for several months after a pig heart transplant. At NYU Langone Health, pig kidneys were transplanted into brain-dead patients, who then sustained life for over two months.
While these results are promising, they also emphasize the importance of continued research in the field. It remains vital to determine the reliability of modified pig organs being accepted by the human body. Nevertheless, these strides in xenotransplantation signify hope for the numerous people awaiting life-saving transplants.