Scientists Perform First Pig-to-Human Lung Transplant

Scientists in China have conducted the first successful pig-to-human lung transplant. The procedure involved placing a lung from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplant was performed as an experimental procedure, with the goal of exploring the potential of xenotransplantation – the process of transplanting organs or tissues from one species to another. Researchers used a pig that had been genetically altered to minimize the risk of rejection by the human body. The transplant was partially successful, with the pig lung functioning for a period of time. However, the recipient's body eventually rejected the organ, and the experiment was ultimately deemed a mixed result. While the procedure did not lead to a long-term successful transplant, it represents a significant step forward in the field of xenotransplantation. The findings from this experiment will contribute to ongoing research aimed at developing viable alternatives to traditional organ transplants, which face a significant shortage of available donor organs.