Surgeons in China have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a brain-dead human recipient, marking a milestone in the field of xenotransplantation. The organ functioned for nine days, according to findings published in Nature Medicine.
The procedure was performed at Guangzhou Medical University First Affiliated Hospital on a 39-year-old man declared brain-dead after suffering a brain hemorrhage. With his family’s consent, doctors carried out the experimental surgery in an effort to advance research into addressing the global shortage of donor organs.
The World Health Organization estimates that only about 10 percent of global demand for transplants is currently being met.
The donor pig’s lung underwent six genetic modifications to reduce the risk of rejection. It was also raised under highly sterile and controlled conditions. Following the transplant, the patient was administered medications to prevent infection and immune complications.
Initially, the lung showed no immediate signs of rejection, but complications appeared within 24 hours. The man developed widespread swelling due to fluid accumulation, likely linked to impaired blood flow. Although partial recovery signs were observed, doctors ultimately found evidence that the patient’s body had begun rejecting the organ despite the extensive precautions.
