In a first, kidneys from a genetically altered pig successfully implanted in brain-dead man in the US

Doctors in Alabama have successfully transplanted a pair of kidneys from a genetically modified pig into the body of a brain-dead man. The operation took place in the United States at the University of Alabama. Jim Parsons, 57, was declared brain dead after he suffered a bike accident in September last year

The patient’s kidneys were removed, and two kidneys from a genetically modified pig were embedded into his body. According to reports, the transplanted kidneys started working right away. The body did not reject kidneys. The experiment took place on September 30th. But the facts were only out recently in a study. The kidneys originated from the same strain of genetically engineered pigs as David Bennett‘s heart. Bennett obtained a pig heart since he had no other options. But the kidney transplant was entirely a precautionary measure.

This game-changing moment is a major milestone in the field of xenotransplantation

“This game-changing moment [is] a major milestone in the field of xenotransplantation, which is arguably the best solution to the organ shortage crisis,” surgeon Jayme Locke said in a statement. The study’s goal is to provide the groundwork for a clinical trial, which Locke intends to begin later this year. While the idea of sampling medicines in brain-dead patients has been in talks before, Locke asserts that her team is the first to do so. She acknowledges the Parsons model, as her team has named it, could be helpful in circumstances where animal research is insufficient.

Pig organs typically do not sit well by the human immune system. Even when immunosuppressive medicines are in use. However, the pigs formulated by Revivicor in the United States have been genetically amended to avoid rejection.

Pigs have lower blood pressure than humans. The higher blood pressure after transplantation could damage the blood vessels in pig kidneys. Another worry is that viral genes found in pig genomes could infect humans. But the experimenters found no indication of this.

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