Xenotransplantation: How Pig Kidneys are Saving Human Lives
Xenotransplantation: How Pig Kidneys are Saving Human LivesDescription
Thousands of patients in the US die every year waiting for an organ transplant, often because there are not enough human organ donors. Xenotransplantation — transplantation from another species to humans — could solve this problem, but has remained the realm of science fiction given many technical obstacles. Now, with advances in gene editing, this pipe dream is becoming reality. In today's episode of Beyond the Abstract, Dan and Derek explore xenotransplantation, tell the stories of the few humans who have received pig organs, and explain why this may herald a new era in transplant medicine.
Articles discussed
Griffith et al. Genetically modified porcine-to-human cardiac xenotransplantation. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022. (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2201422)
Anand et al. Design and testing of a humanized porcine donor for xenotransplantation. Nature. 2023. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06594-4)
The information presented here is not medical advice. Consult your physician for any questions regarding your personal health.
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