The Hog Wild World of Gene-Hacked Organ Transplant Pioneers
Japanese startup PorMedTec has made waves in the scientific community by successfully cloning three piglets with the groundbreaking aim of utilizing their organs for human transplantation. The company’s innovative approach involves creating genetically modified embryos using gene-edited cells imported from a US biotech startup called eGenesis. These modified embryos are then implanted into a pig’s uterus, paving the way for the development of organs that could potentially be transplanted into humans without the risk of rejection by the immune system.
The concept of xenotransplantation, or the transplantation of organs from one species to another, has long been hailed as a potential solution to the global organ shortage crisis. In Japan, as in many other countries, the demand for donor organs far outweighs the available supply. According to the Japan Organ Transplant Network, thousands of people are on waiting lists for organ transplants each year, with only a fraction actually receiving them.
While the recent achievements in xenotransplantation are undeniably groundbreaking, scientists continue to face significant challenges in ensuring the long-term acceptance of nonhuman animal organs by the human body. Recent experiments, such as the connection of a genetically modified pig liver to a brain-dead patient at the University of Pennsylvania, have shown promising results. Similarly, the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig heart into a man with terminal heart disease in Maryland last year marked a significant milestone in the field.
eGenesis, the US-based biotech company that provided the gene-edited cells for PorMedTec’s cloning project, celebrated the milestone as a crucial step towards advancing xenotransplantation research globally. The successful cloning of genetically engineered pigs in Japan is expected to accelerate efforts to bring xenotransplantation closer to clinical application in the nation.
In parallel efforts, a team of researchers at the Jikei University School of Medicine is preparing to seek approval for a clinical study involving the transplantation of a pig’s kidney into a human fetus with kidney disease. These pioneering initiatives highlight the growing interest and investment in xenotransplantation as a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis. As scientists and researchers continue to push the boundaries of medical innovation, the prospect of using genetically modified animal organs for human transplantation is becoming increasingly within reach.
