First patient receives genetically modified pig kidney in historic transplant surgery

A 53-year-old woman, Towana Looney, has become the first living person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney at NYU Langone Health. This historic surgery, performed on November 25, aims to address the organ shortage crisis and offers hope for patients with kidney failure. Looney, who has been on dialysis since 2016, was chosen for the procedure due to her immune system's rejection of human organs. The FDA allowed the surgery under special circumstances, as previous attempts with pig organs showed promise but were limited to very ill patients. Following the surgery, Looney's new kidney is functioning well, and she reports feeling revitalized. She is optimistic about the potential of pig organs to help others in need of transplants, despite ongoing ethical and safety concerns surrounding xenotransplantation.