Scientists from eGenesis, a company affiliated with Harvard, have achieved a significant breakthrough in the search for alternative sources of organs. They have successfully kept a monkey alive for two years using a genetically engineered pig kidney. This research offers hope for individuals with end-stage organ failure, as genetically modified pig organs could potentially extend their lives.
While previous experiments conducted by research teams at New York University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have shown promising results, the duration of survival has been limited to just a few weeks. This limitation is due to rejection and opportunistic infections that occur in the case of genetically modified pig organs.
However, the recent research published in the prestigious journal Nature has changed the game. It represents the longest period of time a non-human primate research animal has been kept alive with a pig kidney. This development brings us closer to the possibility of using pig-grown organs in clinical practice.
Despite the promising results, experts caution that it will still take several years before pig-grown organs become a reality in clinical settings. However, this breakthrough lays the groundwork for future clinical trials and paves the way for further advancements in the field.
eGenesis, the company leading this groundbreaking research, aims to improve the long-term survival rates for transplant recipients. Their ultimate goal is to use genetically modified pig organs instead of relying solely on deceased human organ donors. This is particularly crucial as there is currently a dire shortage of organs, with 17 people dying every day while waiting for a transplant. More than 100,000 people are currently on the national transplant list.
Genetically modified pig organs could potentially address this organ shortage and save countless lives. While there is still more work to be done, this breakthrough brings us one step closer to revolutionizing organ transplantation and giving hope to those in need. Stay tuned for further developments in this exciting field.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”