First pig liver and kidneys transplanted into a person shows early success and rejection signals
A 53-year-old brain-dead man received a genetically modified pig liver and two pig kidneys. The organs functioned for about five days; the liver started bile production within 19 hours and kidney function normalized, suggesting feasibility. However, within 36 hours signs of rejection appeared as pig cells were replaced by human cells and inflammatory markers rose, indicating the need for immune-targeted therapies. The pig had six genome edits (three human genes added, three pig genes removed) to reduce rejection, marking a major step toward addressing organ shortages while highlighting ongoing challenges in long-term compatibility.