Gene-edited pig kidney sustains monkey life for over six months in China

A monkey in China survived for over six months with a gene-edited pig kidney, marking a significant advancement in organ transplantation research. The macaque lived for 184 days after receiving the kidney in May, with normal function for five months before complications arose. This experiment is notable as it addresses the lack of long-term animal tests for gene-edited pig organs, which has limited clinical trials in humans. Pig organs are similar in size and metabolism to human organs, making them potential candidates for transplantation. Globally, only 20 cases of long-term survival after such transplants have been reported. Previous studies have shown varying success, including a U.S. study where monkeys survived for two years with gene-edited pig kidneys.