Pig organ transplants could one day be superior to human ones, says expert
Surgeon leading xenotransplantation trial aimed at solving shortage of human organs says edits can lessen risk of rejection
TL;DR
- A clinical trial is transplanting gene-edited pig kidneys into living humans.
- The trial aims to address the severe shortage of human organs for transplantation.
- Pig organs are gene-edited to reduce the likelihood of rejection by the human body.
- Dr. Robert Montgomery believes pig organs could eventually surpass human organs in transplants.
- Xenotransplantation has been a long-discussed concept, but recent gene-editing advancements have made it feasible.
- Previous pig-to-human transplants, including a brain-dead recipient, have provided crucial safety data.
- Studies involving transplanting pig thymus with kidneys may improve organ tolerance.
- Kidneys and hearts are considered promising for xenotransplantation, while lungs and livers are more complex.
- Dr. Montgomery, who received a human heart transplant, would consider a pig heart in the future.
- The trial participants are typically those ineligible for human transplants or at high risk of death while waiting.