A number of studies last year demonstrated that pig kidneys that had been transplanted into brain-dead individuals made urine, an essential function, for short periods of time.
“The really new finding here is that these pig kidneys can clear enough creatinine to support an adult human,” Dr. Locke said.
“If you want to have life-sustaining kidney function, the kidneys have to do more than just make urine,” Dr. Locke said.
A few months later, researchers at the University of Maryland transplanted a heart from a genetically modified pig into a 57-year-old patient with heart failure.
So far, transplants of genetically modified pig kidneys have been made only to brain-dead patients.
Persons:
”, Jayme Locke, Dr, Locke
Organizations:
Transplant Institute, NYU Langone Health, University of Maryland, Revivicor, United Therapeutics Corporation, Langone Health, Food and Drug Administration
Locations:
Alabama, New York