Chinese scientists have conducted a historic experiment that could offer hope to millions of people awaiting organ transplants. At Guangzhou Medical University, a genetically engineered pig lung was successfully transplanted into a 39-year-old patient who had suffered brain death. This operation made medical history as the first human experiment using pigs and lungs in the field of interspecies organ transplantation (xenotransplantation).

Legal Issues in Pig Lung Transplantation!

This study, a continuation of similar experiments conducted in the US with pig kidneys and hearts, focused on the lung, one of the most complex organs. Scientists prepared the pig lungs for transplantation using revolutionary CRISPR gene editing technology, which allows for precise modification of genetic material. The main purpose of this technology was to “introduce” the pig organ to the human immune system, preventing the body from recognizing it as foreign tissue and attacking it.

During the operation, only the left lung was replaced with a pig organ to preserve the patient’s vital functions. This allowed the team to observe the transplant results in a safe environment.

While the first 24 hours after the transplant were promising, the experiment soon faced xenotransplantation’s greatest challenge. The patient’s immune system began producing white blood cells against the transplanted pig lung, launching an “attack.” In the following days, signs of organ rejection rapidly increased. Despite immunosuppressive medications, this reaction remained uncontrolled, and the operation was terminated on the ninth day at the request of the patient’s family.

Although the experiment appeared to have failed, Dr. Jiang Shi, one of the study’s leaders, described it as a “meaningful beginning.” Dr. Shi stated, “Lung transplantation presents far more complex biological challenges than other organ transplants. While we cannot say we are ready for clinical application with this experiment, we are laying a crucial scientific foundation for safe and durable lung transplantation in the future.”

This historic experiment once again demonstrated the criticality of solving the problem of organ rejection and demonstrated the scientific community’s commitment to finding a solution to the organ shortage.