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Can Gene-Editing Make Pig Organ Transplants Viable For Humans?
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Gene-Editing: A Potential Game Changer for Organ Transplants?
Researchers at the University of Alabama discovered that part of what causes the human immune system to reject pig organs is a type of carbohydrate molecule that covers the surface of the pig organ. Human organs do not have these molecules. So when the immune system senses them, it immediately perceives the organ as an alien threat that needs neutralizing. They found a way around this problem through gene-editing technology.
By editing the DNA of the genes in the pig organs, they were able to produce genetically modified organs without this layer of carbohydrates. The researchers successfully transplanted modified pig hearts and kidneys into baboons and monkeys. Over a year later, the animals are doing just fine, according to the report in The New York Times.
Previously, monkeys and baboons had experienced pig organ rejection for the same reason as human patients. If these primates can now accept the modified pig organs, it stands to reason that humans might be able to as well.
This is potentially an enormous game-changer for patients waiting for new organs. Many people die because they are not able to get an organ from a compatible donor in time. While the thought of receiving an organ from a pig probably freaks a lot of people out, it may be the best option for solving the organ shortage problem until scientists figure out how to grow human organs on demand.
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