Breakthrough: Longest Successful Pig-to-Human Kidney Transplant Raises Hope for Animal-Human Transplants

US surgeons have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient, marking a record-breaking 61-day experiment. The procedure is part of ongoing research in xenotransplantation, aimed at advancing cross-species transplants. The donor pig came from a herd cultivated by biotech company Revivicor, which has been approved by the FDA as a source of meat for people with alpha-gal allergies. While the experiment showed promise, mild rejection occurred, requiring increased immunosuppression medication. Other recent developments in the field include the world's first pig-to-human heart transplant and the creation of hybrid pig-human kidneys in pig embryos, raising ethical concerns.