Second Successful Transplant of Genetically Modified Pig Kidney – BRTK
Genetically Modified Pig Kidneys Successfully Transplanted for the Second Time in the USA
In a groundbreaking medical development, genetically modified pig kidneys were successfully transplanted for the second time in the United States of America (USA).
The recent transplant took place in New York, where a patient named Lisa Pisano, who suffered from both heart and kidney failure, received a ventricular assist device, also known as a heart pump, on April 4. This was followed by a genetically modified pig kidney transplant on April 12, marking the successful completion of the second pig kidney transplant in the country.
Following the surgery, the hospital announced that there were no signs of rejection from the patient’s body towards the transplanted organ. It was revealed that only a single genetic change was made to the pig kidney before the transplant procedure.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the surgeon who performed the kidney transplant, expressed his enthusiasm about the innovative procedure, stating, “We have combined two wonders of modern medicine in a new way.”
The patient, Lisa Pisano, 54, had been facing a critical health condition as she was ineligible for a heart pump due to the risks associated with dialysis. With her heart condition deteriorating rapidly, the transplant surgery with the genetically modified pig kidney offered a glimmer of hope for her survival.
Despite the uncertainties surrounding the procedure, Lisa Pisano remained hopeful and expressed her gratitude towards her family, doctors, and hospital staff. She acknowledged the potential impact of the groundbreaking surgery, stating, “Worst case scenario, if this doesn’t work, it might work for the next person.”
The successful pig kidney transplant in New York follows a similar milestone achieved by Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where the first genetically modified pig kidney transplant was performed earlier.
The transplantation of animal organs into humans, seen as a potential solution to the global organ donation shortage, offers hope to thousands of people on the waiting list for organ transplants. In the United States alone, more than 100 thousand individuals are in line for organ transplants, with kidneys being in highest demand.
While challenges and uncertainties remain, the progress in genetically modified organ transplantation opens up new possibilities for addressing the critical shortage of donor organs and improving the survival rates of patients in need of transplants.
