Medical science just leveled up! 🧬 Chinese surgeons have made history by transplanting a gene-edited pig liver into a human patient who survived 171 days – nearly six months – post-surgery. This breakthrough, detailed in the Journal of Hepatology, could revolutionize organ transplants amid global donor shortages. 🌍🏥
The Science Behind the Miracle
A team from Anhui Medical University and Yunnan Agricultural University engineered a pig liver with 10 genetic modifications. Three pig genes linked to organ rejection were removed, while seven human genes were added to boost compatibility and prevent blood clots. Think of it as a biological software update! 💻🔬
From Hope to Heartbreak
The 71-year-old patient, ineligible for traditional liver tumor surgery, received the pig liver as an "auxiliary" organ in May 2024. For 31 days, everything worked perfectly – no rejection, full function. But on day 38, blood clots forced doctors to remove the transplanted liver. Despite complications, the patient lived until day 171, proving such transplants can sustain life meaningfully. 💔⚕️
Why This Matters
While not yet a cure-all, this "bridge therapy" offers hope for thousands awaiting human livers. As one journal review put it: "This isn’t the finish line – but it’s a thrilling starting gate." 🏁👩⚕️
Earlier in 2024, Chinese researchers tested similar tech on a brain-dead patient, but this marks the first long-term survival case. Though challenges remain, science just took a giant leap toward solving the organ shortage crisis. 🚀
