In a First, Man Receives a Heart From a Genetically Altered Pig
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Pig Heart Used in Human Transplant was Infected with Animal Virus
Last updated May 06, 2022
Image credit: University of Maryland School of Medicine/Reuters [via The New York Times]Facts
- Traces of a porcine virus have been found in a patient who survived for two months after receiving a transplanted heart from a pig. Medical experts have speculated that the infection could have played a role in his death.[1]
- 57-yr-old David Bennett underwent the procedure in Jan. at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He was too ill to qualify for a human heart.[2]
- It was the first time this type of xenotransplantation had not resulted in immediate rejection.[2]
Sources
Spin
Narrative A
The transplant was an outstanding development that may help tackle acute organ shortages around the world.
Narrative B
This experimental treatment is still riddled with ethical and safety concerns and should be viewed with apprehension.
Nerd narrative
There is a 26% chance that lab-grown organs will be successfully used for human transplant by 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
