The recipient is a 54-year-old woman named Lisa Pisano who was diagnosed with terminal kidney disease and heart failure.
Over the past few years, various research teamsincluding scientists at NYU Langonehave been successfully experimenting with these pigs.
Like other recipients of these modified organs, Lisa Pisano had few other options available to her.
The gene-edited pig kidney with thymus is removed from its transport container to be prepared for transplantationPhoto: Joe Carrotta/NYU Langone Health
But her pre-existing kidney disease would typically rule out this option.
And without a heart pump, she likely had only days to weeks more to live.
The heart pump was implanted first on April 4, followed by the kidney transplant on April 12.
They also transplanted over the pigs thymus, an organ that helps train immune cells.
And it will ultimately require successful clinical trials for this technology to become available to the public at large.
All I want is the opportunity to have a better life, Pisano said in a statement.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
