Pig-to-Human Kidney Transplant Scientists, What is Xenotransplantation?


 For the first time, scientists have successfully transplanted a pig kidney into a human. This practice, which is considered a breakthrough in the medical world, is called xenotransplantation.

Citing the FDA website, xenotransplantation is the transplantation of cells, tissues, or organs that are still functioning well for life from one species to another, for example from pigs to humans.


Xenotransplantation in humans is one of the possible treatments for end-stage organ failure. However, this procedure raises medical, legal, and ethical problems.



History of xenotransplant

Xenotransplantation is not really a new thing. In the early 17th century, medical history records the existence of blood transfusions from animals to humans in England and France. In the 20th century, there were also solid organ transplants from animals to humans, notes the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.


Several publications also state the success of xenotransplantation that has been carried out. One of them, a patient who can survive up to nine months after a kidney transplant from a chimpanzee.


  



In contrast, organ transplants from non-primates have shown little success. This is because primates are animals that have genetic closeness and DNA that is almost similar to humans compared to other animals.


The pros and cons of xenotransplantation

One of the reasons xenotransplantation has such strong appeal is that it meets the expectations of individuals who need organs urgently, but are hampered by the limitations of donor organs.


On the other hand, xenotransplantation raises medical, legal, and ethical problems. Some animals, such as pigs, have shorter life spans than humans, so their tissues will age more quickly.


Another concern is the occurrence of xenozoonosis, ie transmission of disease from animals to humans through this procedure, and the permanent alteration of the animal's genetic code is also at issue.


Pigs are the most suitable donors

Of the many animal species, pigs are considered the most suitable donor for humans. Why not primates like chimpanzees, which have up to 98% DNA affinity? Apparently, precisely because of this closeness of DNA, primates are more at risk of carrying viruses that can infect humans than other animals, such as HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.


Meanwhile, pigs are generally raised on clean farms and their health is controlled, so the risk of infection from pigs is considered lower than primates. In addition, most pig organs work well in humans. Pig organs also have similarities with organs in the human body.


Previously reported, scientists from NYU Langone Health, successfully transplanted pig kidneys into humans. The transplanted kidney was tested and found to be functioning 'fairly normal'.

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