For only the second time ever – and the first involving a clinical-grade organ – a genetically modified pig kidney has successfully been transplanted into a brain-dead human body, in a milestone example of xenotransplantation.
, and the transplant proved these modifications were sufficient to prevent a human body from rejecting the pig's organ in the short term.
No sign of pig cells or pig retroviruses were found in the recipient's blood, and although the tests were limited to just 77 hours in the experiment, transplants of other pig tissues have shown similar resultsWhile the procedure answered many questions, it also highlighted what areas need further investigation. For example, we do not yet know if one pig kidney alone is able to support a human adult, or if two would be required.
While there is still a ways to go yet, this study has also established the safety and feasibility of using brain-dead patients as a model for preclinical research. To honor the recipient and his family, the researchers have proposed calling this"The Parsons Model".
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Genetically modified pig kidneys transplanted into a brain-dead personTwo pig kidneys genetically edited to prevent rejection by the immune system have been transplanted into a brain-dead man in the US as a first step towards treating patients
Read more »
Transplant Surgeon Loses Medical License For Branding Initials On Patients’ LiversA British surgeon has had his medical license revoked after he was found out to have burned his initials on to the livers of two patients during transplant surgery with a device meant to stop bleeding. What do you think?
Read more »
Should bad science be taken off social media?A Royal Society report recommends against censoring scientific misinformation online.
Read more »