In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days."

<h2>First time in China</h2>

This was the first of its kind operation in China and comes after similar transplants in the United States.

The procedure was done on March 25 by a team of doctors that only a couple of weeks back performed a successful pig liver transplant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/role-reversal-humans-to-blame-shocking-study-reveals-humans-infect-animals-twice-as-much-704746">We are the infectors: Humans pass on viruses to animals twice than the other way around!</a>

"As of April 7, the transplanted kidney has been working continuously for 13 days,"&nbsp;Qin Weijun, director of the Air Force Medical University Xijing Hospital, told Science and Technology Daily on Monday.

"It is functioning well in the recipient's body and producing urine normally."

To do this, scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to add two human genes to the pig used in the transplant. Additionally, they removed three pig genes that can cause hyperacute rejection, said the university.

In both the cases — pig kidney and liver transplant — families of the patients agreed to the procedure to help advance medical science.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-surgeons-transplant-pig-kidney-to-living-patient-for-first-time-702778">In a first, surgeons successfully transplant pig kidney to living patient</a>

<h2>Why pig kidney transplants matter?</h2>

As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), every year millions of patients in China suffer from end-stage kidney disease, for which the only solution is a kidney transplant. Yet, only about 10,000 transplants take place, reported the Air Force Medical University's Department of Urology in a WeChat post last week.

In such a scenario, xenogenic transplants, from one species to another, offer a solution. Pigs, who have similar metabolism&nbsp;and organ sizes as that of humans, are the first choice, as because of fears of higher risks of disease spreading, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of monkeys.&nbsp;

However, there are some ethical concerns.

<h2>Ethical concerns over xenogenic transplants</h2>

These transplants, as per the report, come with an accelerated risk of acute rejection and the transfer of infectious diseases between the donor animal and humans.

Another concern raised by the animal rights movement is how these transplants ignore the rights of animals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days.

In China, doctors have successfully transplanted a pig's kidney with multiple gene edits into a brain-dead human recipient. The transplantation, as per reports, has been "working continuously for 13 days." First time in China This was the first of its kind operation in China and comes after similar transplants in the United States. The procedure was done on March 25 by a team of doctors that only a couple of weeks back performed a successful pig liver transplant. Also read | We are the infectors: Humans pass on viruses to animals twice than the other way around! "As of April 7, the transplanted kidney has been working continuously for 13 days," Qin Weijun, director of the Air Force Medical University Xijing Hospital, told Science and Technology Daily on Monday. "It is functioning well in the recipient's body and producing urine normally." To do this, scientists used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to add two human genes to the pig used in the transplant. Additionally, they removed three pig genes that can cause hyperacute rejection, said the university. In both the cases — pig kidney and liver transplant — families of the patients agreed to the procedure to help advance medical science. Also read | In a first, surgeons successfully transplant pig kidney to living patient Why pig kidney transplants matter? As per the South China Morning Post (SCMP), every year millions of patients in China suffer from end-stage kidney disease, for which the only solution is a kidney transplant. Yet, only about 10,000 transplants take place, reported the Air Force Medical University's Department of Urology in a WeChat post last week. In such a scenario, xenogenic transplants, from one species to another, offer a solution. Pigs, who have similar metabolism and organ sizes as that of humans, are the first choice, as because of fears of higher risks of disease spreading, the US Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of monkeys. However, there are some ethical concerns. Ethical concerns over xenogenic transplants These transplants, as per the report, come with an accelerated risk of acute rejection and the transfer of infectious diseases between the donor animal and humans. Another concern raised by the animal rights movement is how these transplants ignore the rights of animals. (With inputs from agencies)

Doctors in China successfully transplant pig kidney into brain-dead human patient

Doctors in Alabama successfully transplanted a pair of kidneys from a genetically modified pig into a brain dead man.&nbsp;

The operation was conducted at the University of Alabama in the United States. The man named Jim Parsons, 57, was declared brain dead after he suffered a bike accident in September last year.

Parsons family gave the go-ahead to the doctors to conduct the operation as the patient's kidneys were removed and two kidneys from a genetically modified pig were embedded into his body.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-first-man-gets-genetically-modified-pig-heart-in-transplant-443747">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;In a first, man gets genetically modified pig heart in transplant</a>

Reports said the transplanted kidneys began to function immediately after the operation was conducted.

Earlier this month surgeons had successfully transplanted a &nbsp;genetically modified pig's heart into a man. David Bennett became the first man to undergo the unique heart transplant.

Watch: Pig's heart transplanted into a human

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pigs-heart-transplanted-into-a-human-444001/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bennett's son called the operation a "miracle" &nbsp;as a team of surgeons at the University of Maryland conducted the operation on January 7.

The operation demonstrated the success of pig-to-human heart transplants as doctors cheered amid a shortage of donor organs.

According to reports, there are 100,000 US citizens waiting for organ donations currently.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

Doctors in Alabama successfully transplanted a pair of kidneys from a genetically modified pig into a brain dead man. The operation was conducted at the University of Alabama in the United States.

Doctors in Alabama successfully transplanted a pair of kidneys from a genetically modified pig into a brain dead man. The operation was conducted at the University of Alabama in the United States. The man named Jim Parsons, 57, was declared brain dead after he suffered a bike accident in September last year. Parsons family gave the go-ahead to the doctors to conduct the operation as the patient's kidneys were removed and two kidneys from a genetically modified pig were embedded into his body. Also Read: In a first, man gets genetically modified pig heart in transplant Reports said the transplanted kidneys began to function immediately after the operation was conducted. Earlier this month surgeons had successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig's heart into a man. David Bennett became the first man to undergo the unique heart transplant. Watch: Pig's heart transplanted into a human Bennett's son called the operation a "miracle" as a team of surgeons at the University of Maryland conducted the operation on January 7. The operation demonstrated the success of pig-to-human heart transplants as doctors cheered amid a shortage of donor organs. According to reports, there are 100,000 US citizens waiting for organ donations currently. (With inputs from Agencies)

In a first, two kidneys from genetically modified pig transplanted into brain dead man

A man in the United States has now become the first person in the world to get a heart transplant from a genetically modified pig. It was a bit of a do-or-die situation, that prompted the American medical regulator to grant permission for this experimental surgery.

United States: First pig to human heart transplant, a game-changer for organ transplants