CNN —Scientists say they are closer to understanding the best way to make the human body receptive to an organ donation from another species, an effort that could help solve an ongoing shortage of organs. More than 100,000 people in the US are on the transplant waiting list, and an average of 17 die every day while waiting. Doctors have spent decades experimenting with alternatives, and many now see potential in replacing failing human organs with genetically modified pig organs. Xenotransplantation, as cross-species organ transplantation is called, is still in the early stages. There are no human clinical trials taking place that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, but the researchers behind a study published Thursday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation say their findings might bring human trials even closer.

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Persons: Jayme Locke, Locke, that’s, Sheri Krams, ”, Krams, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, Mandy Ford, Ford, ” Ford Organizations: CNN —, US Food and Drug Administration, Investigation, University of Alabama, Heersink, of Medicine, FDA, Transplantation, Heersink School of Medicine, Stanford Medicine, UAB, Parsons Model, CNN, CNN Health, Emory Transplant Center Locations: United States