Woman Receives Pig's Kidney in Medical First—What Happened Next Will Shock You
In a groundbreaking yet controversial medical procedure, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, USA, became one of the few humans in history to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. While the operation was initially deemed a success, the patient's body eventually rejected the organ after five months, raising new questions about the future of xenotransplantation—the process of transplanting animal organs into humans.
What Exactly Happened?
The patient, Towana Looney, had been suffering from end-stage kidney failure and was undergoing regular dialysis. In April 2024, doctors implanted a genetically engineered pig kidney into her body. The kidney began functioning soon after the surgery, marking a major milestone in experimental transplant medicine.
However, after approximately five months, Looney’s immune system began to attack the transplanted organ, identifying it as a foreign object. Despite initial immunosuppressive treatment, the body’s rejection response intensified, and doctors were forced to surgically remove the pig kidney. She has now resumed dialysis.
Not the First of Its Kind
This is not the first time a pig kidney transplant has been attempted in humans. In recent years, five patients in the United States have received similar transplants using genetically modified organs from pigs bred specifically for human compatibility.
Of these five cases, two patients passed away due to complications.
One patient, like Towana, had to return to dialysis after organ rejection.
A few transplants showed short-term success, offering hope that the science behind xenotransplantation is gradually evolving.
These pig organs are typically modified to remove certain sugars and proteins that cause human immune systems to reject them.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Transplant Medicine
Despite mixed results, scientists remain optimistic. The ultimate goal of xenotransplantation is to address the global organ shortage, as thousands die every year while waiting for a suitable human donor.
Researchers are continuing to refine the genetic engineering of pigs, hoping to make their organs more compatible with human bodies in the future. Clinical trials are ongoing, and medical experts caution that widespread use of animal-to-human organ transplants is still several years away from becoming routine.