Pigs Undergo Genetic Editing for Transplants

A surgeon in the United States reflects on the decades-long pursuit of viable organ transplantation and how pigs may soon offer a solution. For thirty years, he has witnessed the challenges of a limited organ supply and the growing waitlist—currently over 100,000 in the U.S., with kidneys being the most needed. The current system often forces doctors to accept suboptimal organs or exclude patients likely to not survive long enough to receive a transplant.

Researchers are now conducting clinical trials with genetically modified pig organs, including kidneys and livers, to address this shortage. Early efforts faced hurdles with immune rejection and viral risks, but the development of CRISPR gene-editing technology has allowed for more precise and rapid genetic modification. Companies like United Therapeutics and scientists like George Church are leading these advancements, aiming to create pig organs that closely resemble human organs.

While current pig organs may only last six months to a year, future iterations could significantly improve longevity and reduce the need for immunosuppressant drugs. The surgeon envisions a future with personalized pig organs tailored to individual patient genetics, potentially eliminating the transplant waitlist altogether and even creating organs designed for extreme environments like Mars.