Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Keeps Man Alive For Record Nine Months
A genetically modified pig kidney kept a 66-year-old man off dialysis for a record nine months, marking the longest survival yet for a pig kidney transplanted into a living person and the first time such an organ successfully served as a bridge to a later human transplant. The Guardian reports: Tim Andrews was seriously ill with end-stage kidney disease caused by type 2 diabetes and had only a 9%…
Genetically modified pig kidney granted nine-month respite from dialysis for 66-year-old man, Tim Andrews, marking longest survival yet for pig kidney transplanted into living person and first time such organ served as bridge to later human transplant. Reportedly, Andrews faced grim prognosis due to end-stage kidney disease stemming from type 2 diabetes, with mere 9% chance of receiving human kidney within five years and more than 40% risk of demise or removal from waiting list.
Kidney transplantation offers optimal survival and quality of life for those with end-stage kidney disease, yet global demand for human organs vastly outpaces supply. US surgeons successfully transplanted kidney from Yucatan miniature pig named Wilma into Andrews, after genetically engineering it to harmonize with his immune system.
The kidney liberated Andrews from dialysis for record nine-month stretch, longest duration ever recorded, prior to failure and subsequent receipt of human donor kidney. This breakthrough was detailed in the Lancet journal.
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