Guangzhou, China – Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University in China have achieved an unprecedented medical achievement.
After they were able to transplant a genetically modified pig lung into a human body. This was the first reliable case of its kind in the world.
The researchers explained that the transplanted lung was placed in the body of a brain-dead patient.
Experiments showed that the new organ was able to maintain its function for a full 9 days. It did so without being rejected by the immune system.
According to the British newspaper “Daily Mail”, previous attempts included transplanting pig hearts and kidneys into human bodies.
But it has not achieved similar success at the lung level. The lung is more fragile and complex due to its direct exposure to outside air and toxins.
Scientists noted that they had to make genetic modifications to the pig before obtaining its left lung.
They were later implanted into the brain of the deceased donor. Life support devices continued to keep his heart and lungs partially functioning.
“Revolutionary step”
The transplanted lung remained functionally viable for 216 hours. This is equivalent to nine days, which experts described as a “revolutionary step” in the field of organ transplantation.
The study confirms that the success of this experiment opens the door to the possibility of relying on genetically modified animal organs.
This is to meet the severe global shortage of human organs.
However, the researchers warned there is still a long way to go before moving to clinical trials on living patients.
The reason is due to complex medical challenges. Most notably, high blood flow and the possibility of the transplanted lung being exposed to immune attack over time.
