I just don't know. Seems very wrong somehow. Nature has put species reproductive isolation in place for a reason and I should think this extends to body part transplants too. But we just have to play God don't we?
A pig's liver has been transplanted into a human recipient for the first time in a ‘milestone’ for organ transfers between animals and people.
Scientists in China used a liver taken from a seven-month old Bama miniature pig which had been genetically modified to reduce the risk of rejection.
Once removed, it was kept ‘alive’ using a medical solution and chilled to 0-4C.
During the nine-hour-long surgery the recipient – a 50-year-old clinically dead man whose family had authorised the procedure – had the donor liver stitched to his blood vessels in his abdomen alongside his own liver.
Over the next 10 days, the donor liver successfully produced bile and maintained a stable blood flow.
Pigs are being considered as an alternative source of organs owing to their compatible physiological functions and size.
The pig for this surgery was provided by Doctor Deng-Ke Pan at Clonorgan Biotechnology Company.
It contained six genetic modifications – the deactivation of three pig genes and the introduction of three genes for human proteins.
This was crucial to help prevent the recipient from rejecting the pig organ – a regular hurdle in animal-to-human transplants.
Maddog said
Mar 26 4:37 PM, 2025
I just think this is an extension of us using animals for our own needs. Whether it's food,.clothing, protection or companionship.
I think playing God is creating new species or organisms that don't exist naturally.
We've been using pig skin for temporary skin grafts for years..
Syl said
Mar 26 5:55 PM, 2025
I don't know how I feel about this tbh.
If a loved one could only live with the donation of a pigs heart, would I prefer that to them dying?
I suppose I would, but it seems like something out of a Sci-Fi film.
jackb said
Mar 26 6:00 PM, 2025
I think they've been using pig heart valves for quite a few years now.
I just don't know. Seems very wrong somehow. Nature has put species reproductive isolation in place for a reason and I should think this extends to body part transplants too. But we just have to play God don't we?
A pig's liver has been transplanted into a human recipient for the first time in a ‘milestone’ for organ transfers between animals and people.
Scientists in China used a liver taken from a seven-month old Bama miniature pig which had been genetically modified to reduce the risk of rejection.
Once removed, it was kept ‘alive’ using a medical solution and chilled to 0-4C.
During the nine-hour-long surgery the recipient – a 50-year-old clinically dead man whose family had authorised the procedure – had the donor liver stitched to his blood vessels in his abdomen alongside his own liver.
Over the next 10 days, the donor liver successfully produced bile and maintained a stable blood flow.
Pigs are being considered as an alternative source of organs owing to their compatible physiological functions and size.
The pig for this surgery was provided by Doctor Deng-Ke Pan at Clonorgan Biotechnology Company.
It contained six genetic modifications – the deactivation of three pig genes and the introduction of three genes for human proteins.
This was crucial to help prevent the recipient from rejecting the pig organ – a regular hurdle in animal-to-human transplants.
I think playing God is creating new species or organisms that don't exist naturally.
We've been using pig skin for temporary skin grafts for years..
If a loved one could only live with the donation of a pigs heart, would I prefer that to them dying?
I suppose I would, but it seems like something out of a Sci-Fi film.