Pig kidney works in human body for 271 days

A pig kidney has been successfully transplanted into a human and functioned for 271 days. This is the longest duration a pig kidney has sustained human life. The patient received the pig kidney as a temporary measure while awaiting a human organ. The pig kidney was genetically modified to reduce the risk of rejection. The patient eventually received a human kidney transplant, and the pig kidney was removed.

The success of this procedure represents a significant advancement in the field of xenotransplantation, offering hope for addressing organ shortages. The patient's body accepted the pig kidney for nearly nine months. The BBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, WIRED and STAT all covered the story. The New York Times and STAT both noted that the patient had received a human kidney transplant after the pig kidney had served its purpose. The Guardian and WIRED both emphasized the duration of the pig kidney's functionality.

The BBC's headline was the most concise. The patient's health status after receiving the human kidney transplant is not specified. The patient's identity and the specific genetic modifications made to the pig kidney are not disclosed. The long-term implications of this procedure for future xenotransplantation efforts are not yet clear.