Breakthrough: Pig Kidney Transplanted into Brain-Dead Human in China

In a groundbreaking medical procedure in China, doctors have achieved a significant milestone by transplanting a genetically modified pig kidney into a human body that was declared brain-dead. The operation, which took place on March 25, marked the country’s first foray into this innovative medical field, closely following similar endeavors in the United States. The procedure was conducted by the same team that, just weeks earlier, had successfully completed a pig liver transplant.

According to Qin Weijun, director of the Air Force Medical University Xijing Hospital, as of April 7, the transplanted kidney had been functioning smoothly for 13 days, producing urine as expected. The pig used for the transplant underwent several genetic modifications using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology, including the addition of two human genes and the removal of three pig genes known to trigger immediate rejection.

The families of the patients consented to these procedures with the hope of contributing to the advancement of medical science.

This development is particularly significant in China, where annually, millions face the dire consequences of end-stage kidney disease. The disparity between the need for kidney transplants and the availability of suitable organs is stark, with only about 10,000 transplants being performed each year out of necessity. This has propelled interest in xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting organs between different species, with pigs being a preferred source due to their similar organ sizes and metabolic rates to humans. This approach sidesteps the use of primates, which is restricted by the US Food and Drug Administration due to concerns over disease transmission.

However, this innovative medical breakthrough does not come without its ethical dilemmas. The risk of rapid organ rejection and the potential for cross-species disease transmission are significant medical concerns. Moreover, animal rights activists have voiced ethical objections, highlighting the disregard for the welfare and rights of animals involved in such transplants.