We transplanted the heart of a GMO pig to a human for the first time

For the first time, a genetically modified pig heart transplant was performed on a man who was facing certain death

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For the first time, a genetically modified pig heart transplant was performed on a man who was facing certain death. But the news of the xenotransplantation has divided public opinion

There are those who wait for a long time for a call for a transplant and those who, unfortunately, will never receive it. And the news that in the last few hours has been going around the world, relating to the first heart transplant of a pig on an American 57, has sparked the hope of many people suffering from heart diseases. But if on the one hand it was seen by many as a great milestone for medicine, on the other there are those who are horrified after learning of this xenotrapiant.

It is, in fact, an extremely delicate question that is dividing public opinion and on which it is not at all easy to take a position. Before going into the merits of the matter, it is first of all necessary to specify that the transplant was completed by the team of doctors University of Maryland Medical Center it is the first experiment of its kind and the patient in question knows that there is no guarantee of the outcome.

But what do we know so far? Why is this operation considered so controversial? But above all… Could the transplantation of genetically modified pig hearts soon become a solution to the shortage of organs? Let's try to clarify.

Index

The details of the transplant

As explained by the medical team at the Baltimore hospital, David Bennett, a 57-year-old living in Maryland, was suffering from severe heart disease, but unfortunately was not eligible for a human heart transplant. Thus, the surgeons decided to propose the transplant of a genetically modified pig heart.

Either die or have this transplant - Mr. Bennett said before undergoing the surgery. - I want to live. I know it's a leap in the dark, but it's my last choice.

We transplanted the heart of a GMO pig to a human for the first time

@University of Maryland Medical Center

The operation lasted eight hours and, fortunately, had no complications. Indeed, for the doctors it was a great success.

"The heart works and looks normal," commented Dr. Bartley Griffith, director of the heart transplant program at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

But, despite the success of the transplant, there are so many unknowns about the patient's future. Mr. Bennett is still connected to a heart-lung machine, which kept him alive before the operation.

“We are excited, but we don't know what tomorrow will bring. This has never been done before, ”Griffith added.

What is certain is that it is still too early to unbalance, since it is a real experiment. The patient is constantly monitored: the risks are different, including that of contracting the porcine retrovirus, which is dangerous for humans.

The heart from a genetically modified pig

But where does the heart that Mr. Bennett received come from? The organ came from a genetically modified pig (with as many as 10 genetic modifications) supplied by Revivicor, a regenerative medicine company based in Blacksburg, Virginia.

As the medical team clarified, a growth gene was inactivated to prevent the pig's heart from continuing to grow after the transplant. In addition, six human genes were inserted into the donor pig genome to make the organ more compatible with the human immune system.

Pig hearts have been successfully transplanted into baboons on several occasions by Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, a professor of surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. However, safety concerns and the fear of triggering a dangerous immune response have precluded swine heart transplants on humans so far. At least so far.

Are pig organs becoming our spare parts?

For decades now, doctors and scientists have been working to address the shortage of human organs to transplant and have focused on pigs. The organs of pigs, in fact, are similar in size and functionality to those of humans.

Last October the transplant of. Was performed in New York for the first time a genetically modified pig kidney on a patient declared brain dead, but kept alive by machines. The news had caused quite a stir, especially among animal welfare associations that warn about this new form of swine exploitation.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) had intervened in the matter by throwing themselves against xenotransplants and taking the field to defend the pigs:

“Pigs are not spare parts and should never be used as such just because humans are too self-centered to donate their bodies to patients desperate for organs. What does not appear in the headlines is that this "transplant" is not a transplant at all. It concerned a brain dead patient attached to a ventilator, not a person with kidney disease. The pig's kidney was attacked via blood vessels outside the patient's body and remained there for only 54 hours. Human organs are still the best hope ".

Green light for pig heart transplants?

As anticipated, the one carried out in Baltimore is still an experiment. Many have wondered if this same procedure could be followed shortly in other cases as well. But for the moment the answer is no.

In fact, scientists have been working for some time to transplant organs from pigs to humans, but only in the last decade has research made great strides thanks to new technologies of gene editing and cloning.

This transplant is a watershed event - said Dr David Klassen, medical director of the United Network for Organ Sharing and expert in transplants - Doors are starting to open that could lead to major changes in the way we treat organ failure.

However, the road is still long and uphill.

Events like these can be emphasized in the press, and it is important to keep the perspective - added Dr. Klassen - It takes a long time for a therapy like this to mature.

In reality, xenografts are not a big news, but so far they have involved minor operations. For example, the skin of pigs is used for those who have suffered burns, while the heart valves of pigs are used for those who suffer from heart problems. And in the 80s the news of a heart transplant of a baboon on a little girl caused a sensation, but she only managed to survive a little over two weeks.

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Font: University of Maryland Medical Center /PETA