China Reports First Combined Pig Liver and Kidney Transplant in Human

In a landmark advancement for transplant medicine, surgeons in China have successfully performed the world's first transplantation of multiple genetically modified pig organs into a human recipient. The experimental procedure involved transplanting two kidneys and a liver from a genetically engineered pig into a 53-year-old brain-dead man, whose family had consented to the research.

Conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, the surgery marks a major milestone in xenotransplantation-the use of animal organs to address the global shortage of human donors. The transplanted organs functioned for nearly five days, with the kidneys restoring waste filtration and the liver producing bile within 19 hours, according to the TOI.

The donor pig had undergone six genetic modifications, including the insertion of three human genes and removal of three pig genes linked to organ rejection. While the organs initially functioned well, signs of immune rejection, tissue damage, and blood clotting emerged after about 36 hours, highlighting the challenges that remain. Researchers believe the breakthrough offers valuable insights and brings medicine a step closer to making pig-to-human organ transplantation a viable solution for patients awaiting life-saving transplants.