A Nature article suggests using genetically modified pig kidneys for human transplantation, with experiments showing recipients survived and lived longer than expected in monkeys, proving the potential for transplantation.

The scarcity of organ donors, especially in kidney failure cases, results in thousands of deaths annually. Current standard treatment, dialysis, only provides 10-15% of natural kidney functionality, resulting in a half-life survival rate, according to 2019 studies.

Scientists are exploring the use of pig kidneys as a potential replacement for human kidneys due to their similarity to human kidneys and their advantage in rapid organ production. Yucatan breed pigs' kidneys are similar to average female kidneys, weighing around 23 kg.

The study included three critical gene modifications, and the researchers discovered that combining these gene modifications with immunosuppressive medications appeared to support long-term survival. Over 20 monkeys received kidney transplants from pigs in this study, but not all of the pigs were genetically altered. Notably, none of the monkeys given kidneys from pigs lacking the seven human genes lived longer than 50 days.

Conversely, the monkeys that received the complete combination of modifications fared better. Five of them managed to live for a year, while one remarkable case saw a monkey surviving for approximately 2 years. Dr. Mike Curtis, the President and CEO of eGenesis, a company dedicated to innovations in organ transplantation, and a research co-author, emphasized their unique approach in comprehensively addressing the safety and efficacy of these donor organs with the gene edits.