“You’ve Got A Pig’s Heart!” Genetically Modified Pigs with Human-like Organs Transforming Organ Donation; Details Inside

The University of Maryland Medical Center made headlines not too long time ago, when it achieved a significant milestone in the field of xenotransplantation by successfully transplanting a genetically modified pig heart into a human recipient. The case study published in A Change of Heart: Animality, Power and Black Posthuman Enhancement in Malorie Blackman's Pig-Heart Boy notes: "In January 2022, a medical procedure conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center hit the headlines: 57-year-old David Bennett had become the first to receive a porcine-to-human cardiac xenotransplant."

This marked the second such procedure performed at the center. The patient who suffered from end-stage heart disease and was ineligible for a traditional human heart transplant underwent that procedure as a part of experimental treatment. Post-surgery, the patient also showed signs of recovery and offered hope for the future of xenotransplantation.

How Pig Transplants Are Done?

Xenotransplantation is the process of transplanting organs from one species to another. This, for the longest have been seen as an alternative to human organ donation. However, one of the major challenges in this was the immune rejection, which means a human body identifies animal organs as foreign, thus it goes into a fight mode and attacks. Advances in genetic modification and immunosuppressive therapy has helped make pig organs viable.

Why Pigs?

The question to everyone now is of course, "Why Pigs?" There are so many other animals and species right there, but why pigs? Given that humans are closest to primates, which are the monkeys we seen around us, so why did humans go for the pig's heart instead? This is because pigs have been chosen as an ideal species for xenotransplantation due to their physiological similarities to humans and their relatively short gestation period.

To ensure that their organs are more compatible with humans, the scientists modify the pigs' DNA before birth. Now, this means, deleting specific pig genes to make it more acceptable to recipient's body. These modifications help reduce the likelihood of hyperacute rejection, which would otherwise occur within minutes of transplantation.

The Transplant Process

When the genetically altered pig grows, its organs are carefully collected in a sterile environment. To ensure the viability of the pig heart, it is kept cold and perfused. Before transplantation, doctors evaluate the patient's status and give immunosuppressive drugs to prevent instant rejection.

The technique is similar to a normal heart transplant. The patient's damaged heart is removed, and the pig heart is carefully implanted into the major blood vessels. Once the heart is in place, surgeons restore blood flow and carefully monitor its performance. The patient is currently under strict observation in the intensive care unit, where specialists are addressing potential issues such as clotting, infection, or delayed rejection.

How does it prevent rejection? Even after you genetically modify an object, the recipient's immune system can still act adverse towards it. So, to counter this, patients received a combination of immunosuppressive drugs which tailored to their specific needs.

The role of these immunosuppressive drugs: These medications weaken the immune response, reducing the risk of the body attacking the pig heart. Researchers continue to refine these treatments to improve long-term success rates and minimize side effects.

What Is The Future of Pig-Organ Transplant?

Pig organ transplantation is still in its experimental stages, but successful cases are paving the way for its potential use in routine medical practice. Scientists are continuously improving genetic engineering techniques to enhance organ compatibility and longevity. Additionally, advancements in immunosuppressive therapies and bioengineering are expected to further increase the success rates of xenotransplantation.

With millions of patients worldwide waiting for organ transplants and a persistent shortage of human donors, xenotransplantation could offer a life-saving alternative. Although challenges remain, such as ethical considerations and long-term viability, the progress made so far suggests that pig heart transplants could soon become a widely accepted medical treatment, bringing renewed hope to those in need of a second chance at life.