Science

First pig-to-human lung transplant announced by Chinese scientists

Nature

Pig-to-human lung xenotransplantation into a brain-dead recipient

Guardian

Surgeons transplant pig lung into brain dead human recipient for first time

For the first time, a genetically modified pig lung was transplanted into a brain-dead man

Science News

Scientists perform the first pig-to-human lung transplant

El País

First-ever transplant of animal lung in a human works for nine days

Daily Mail

Scientists transplant a PIG lung into a human in world-first op: Organ remains viable for 9 days - paving the way for cross-species transplantation

The Telegraph

Pig lung transplanted into human for first time

EuroNews

Scientists transplant pig lung into brain-dead patient in world-first

UBC Blogs

Xenotransplantation & Ethical Perspectives

Imperial Bioscience Review

Pigs as Organ Donors: Exploring the Ethical Landscape of Xenotransplantation

Jack Tseng

Eriona Hysolli

Colossal Biosciences Inc.

Beth Shapiro

Joseph Frederickson

Ben Lamm

Brian Klaas

George Church

Ben Mezrich

Mary Beth Griggs

Jeremy Austin

Metaculus

"[N]o one is actually going to bring mammoths back."

"Is this [the restoration of woolly mammoths] going to happen anytime soon? The answer is absolutely not."

"Mammoth de-extinction is more about media attention for the scientists and less about doing serious science."

"It feels to me that a mammoth is a long way in the future."

"I think it's [bringing back woolly mammoth] definitely within the technology."

"In 2028, if all goes according to plan, a six-foot-five narcoleptic scientist with a bushy white beard will resurrect the first living woolly mammoth in 4,000 years."

"I think the first engineered elephant will be the major milestone and that may be consistent with Ben's (Lamm) prediction of six years from 2021."

"That timeline [2028 for the birth of the first mammoth calves] hasn't changed."

"We have set a date of late 2028 for our first mammoth and we are on track."

Will the Woolly Mammoth Be Resurrected by 2028?

Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University in China have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a 39-year-old brain-dead male patient. The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, mark the first documented pig-to-human lung xenotransplantation in medical history.

Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University in China have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a 39-year-old brain-dead male patient. The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine on Monday, mark the first documented pig-to-human lung xenotransplantation in medical history.

The transplanted lung from a six-gene-edited Chinese Bama Xiang pig maintained viability and functionality for 216 hours without signs of hyperacute rejection or infection. However, severe edema resembling primary graft dysfunction was observed at 24 hours.

The transplanted lung from a six-gene-edited Chinese Bama Xiang pig maintained viability and functionality for 216 hours without signs of hyperacute rejection or infection. However, severe edema resembling primary graft dysfunction was observed at 24 hours.

The patient received extensive immunosuppressive treatment, including rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, basiliximab, rituximab, eculizumab, tofacitinib, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and tapering steroids to prevent organ rejection.

The patient received extensive immunosuppressive treatment, including rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, basiliximab, rituximab, eculizumab, tofacitinib, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and tapering steroids to prevent organ rejection.

Antibody-mediated rejection appeared to contribute to xenograft damage on postoperative days three and six, with partial recovery observed by day nine before the experiment was terminated at the family's request.

Antibody-mediated rejection appeared to contribute to xenograft damage on postoperative days three and six, with partial recovery observed by day nine before the experiment was terminated at the family's request.

The donor pig underwent six genetic modifications using CRISPR technology — with three pig genes silenced and three human genes inserted to reduce rejection — and was raised under strict biosecurity conditions to prevent pathogen exposure.

The donor pig underwent six genetic modifications using CRISPR technology — with three pig genes silenced and three human genes inserted to reduce rejection — and was raised under strict biosecurity conditions to prevent pathogen exposure.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only up to 10% of the global need for organ transplants is being met. Meanwhile, approximately 13 people die daily in the United States while waiting for organ transplants.

Organ Donation Statistics

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only up to 10% of the global need for organ transplants is being met. Meanwhile, approximately 13 people die daily in the United States while waiting for organ transplants.

Science #

Nature #

Guardian #

CNN #

Science News #

El País #

Daily Mail #

The Telegraph #

EuroNews #

UBC Blogs #

Imperial Bioscience Review #

The patient received extensive immunosuppressive treatment including rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, basiliximab, rituximab, eculizumab, tofacitinib, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and tapering steroids to prevent organ rejection.

The patient received extensive immunosuppressive treatment including rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin, basiliximab, rituximab, eculizumab, tofacitinib, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and tapering steroids to prevent organ rejection.

Antibody-mediated rejection appeared to contribute to xenograft damage on postoperative days 3 and 6, with partial recovery observed by day 9 before the experiment was terminated at the family's request.

Antibody-mediated rejection appeared to contribute to xenograft damage on postoperative days 3 and 6, with partial recovery observed by day 9 before the experiment was terminated at the family's request.

According to the World Health Organization, only up to 10% of the global need for organ transplants is being met. Meanwhile, approximately 13 people die daily in the U.S. while waiting for organ transplants.

WHO #

According to the World Health Organization, only up to 10% of the global need for organ transplants is being met. Meanwhile, approximately 13 people die daily in the U.S. while waiting for organ transplants.

This is a significant leap forward in solving the organ shortage crisis that kills thousands annually. The pig lung functioned for over nine days without immediate rejection, proving xenotransplantation can work in humans. Advanced genetic engineering successfully created a compatible organ that could save countless lives waiting for transplants.

This is a significant leap forward in solving the organ shortage crisis that kills thousands annually. The pig lung functioned for over nine days without immediate rejection, proving xenotransplantation can work in humans. Advanced genetic engineering successfully created a compatible organ that could save countless lives waiting for transplants.

Daily_MailUS

The experiment reveals significant limitations that make clinical application premature and potentially dangerous. Severe complications emerged within 24 hours, and progressive organ damage occurred despite heavy immunosuppression. These lungs cannot independently sustain patients. Much more research is needed before considering human trials.

The experiment reveals significant limitations that make clinical application premature and potentially dangerous. Severe complications emerged within 24 hours, and progressive organ damage occurred despite heavy immunosuppression. These lungs cannot independently sustain patients. Much more research is needed before considering human trials.

STAT

STAT #

Gene-edited pig lung transplanted into a brain-dead patient for first time

There's a 50% chance that pig-to-human xenotransplantation will become a routine medical procedure by October 2043, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that pig-to-human xenotransplantation will become a routine medical procedure by October 2043, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus2

Pig-to-human xenotransplantation routine?

Using pigs as biological organ banks treats sentient beings as disposable resources, not as individuals with intrinsic rights. The invasive breeding — genetic engineering, repeated surgeries, social isolation, and pathogen‑free confinement — inflicts considerable pain and distress, violating basic welfare principles. This commodification of life amplifies anthropocentric exploitation and reduces pigs to mere instruments.

Using pigs as biological organ banks treats sentient beings as disposable resources, not as individuals with intrinsic rights. The invasive breeding — genetic engineering, repeated surgeries, social isolation, and pathogen‑free confinement — inflicts considerable pain and distress, violating basic welfare principles. This commodification of life amplifies anthropocentric exploitation and reduces pigs to mere instruments.

Unsplash

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

Unsplash

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

Health

Research

Science & technology

This experiment reveals significant limitations that make clinical application premature and potentially dangerous. Severe complications emerged within 24 hours, and progressive organ damage occurred despite heavy immunosuppression. These lungs cannot independently sustain patients. Much more research is needed before considering human trials.

This experiment reveals significant limitations that make clinical application premature and potentially dangerous. Severe complications emerged within 24 hours, and progressive organ damage occurred despite heavy immunosuppression. These lungs cannot independently sustain patients. Much more research is needed before considering human trials.

There's a 50% chance that pig-to-human xenotransplantation will become a routine medical procedure by October 1, 2043, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that pig-to-human xenotransplantation will become a routine medical procedure by October 1, 2043, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

The Controversies

Griggs

Frederickson

Austin

Shapiro

Tseng

Klaas

Church

Hysolli

Lamm

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

Scientists Transplant Pig Lung into Human for First Time

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

The Controversies

Griggs

Frederickson

Austin

Shapiro

Tseng

Klaas

Church

Hysolli

Lamm

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters