Surgeons in Birmingham and New York City have made strides in successfully utilizing genetically modified pig kidneys for human patients, New York Times reported. The breakthrough holds promise for addressing the critical shortage of donor organs, particularly kidneys.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have conducted a pioneering study, which has been peer-reviewed and published in JAMA Surgery, demonstrating that modified pig kidneys can perform vital life-sustaining functions in brain-dead patients for an extended period. The team used pig kidneys that had undergone ten gene modifications, and these organs were able to effectively filter creatinine, a crucial byproduct that needs to be removed from the blood.

In a parallel development, surgeons at NYU Langone Health implanted a kidney from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead patient who was maintained on a ventilator. The transplanted kidney continued to function efficiently for an impressive 32 days, marking a substantial step forward in the research. The patient displayed no signs of rejecting the organ, suggesting the potential viability of such transplants.

The breakthrough is a response to the acute shortage of donor organs, particularly kidneys, in the United States. With over 800,000 Americans suffering from kidney failure and more than 100,000 awaiting a transplant, the demand for organs far exceeds the available supply. While kidney dialysis can sustain patients, organ transplantation remains the optimal solution.

“A lot of folks think dialysis is an appropriate alternative, but people die on dialysis,” said lead author of the new report Dr Jayme Locke, also director of UAB’s Comprehensive Transplant Institute. “The really new finding here is that these pig kidneys can clear enough creatinine to support an adult human.”

The success of these experiments showcases the potential of xenotransplantation, where animal organs are transplanted into humans. Recent advancements in genetic engineering and cloning have facilitated these breakthroughs, opening up new possibilities for addressing the organ shortage crisis.

This newfound capability of the pig kidneys to perform multiple functions, including fluid balance, blood pressure regulation, and pH control, is a critical development in the field.

While these experiments have been conducted on brain-dead patients, discussions are underway with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the initiation of clinical trials in live patients. This step is essential in determining the viability and safety of genetically modified pig kidneys for use in living individuals.

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