HEALTH/LIFESTYLE
Chinese Scientists Successfully Transplant Pig Lungs into a Human for the First Time
In a groundbreaking medical milestone, Chinese researchers have successfully transplanted genetically modified pig lungs into a human patient for the first time in history. The recipient was a 39-year-old man who had died of a stroke. Remarkably, the transplanted lungs were not immediately rejected by the immune system and remained functional for 9 days.
Lead author Dr. He Jianxing highlighted that the shortage of human organs is a growing global challenge, and xenotransplantation (animal-to-human transplants) offers a promising solution. He noted that lungs are among the most delicate organs due to their constant exposure to air and high blood flow, making this achievement especially significant.
Prior to the transplant, six genetic modifications were made to the pig lungs to improve compatibility with the human body. While pig hearts, kidneys, livers, and thymus have previously been transplanted into humans in both China and the U.S., this marks the first successful attempt with lungs — the most complex and sensitive of organs.