Second Successful Pig Kidney Transplant Offers New Hope for Organ Shortage Crisis

Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old with end-stage kidney disease, becomes the second person to live with a genetically modified pig kidney as part of a groundbreaking study at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Tim Andrews, a New Hampshire resident, received a genetically modified pig kidney on January 25, marking a significant step in xenotransplantation research.
The transplant, conducted under FDA guidelines, is part of a three-patient study aiming to evaluate the long-term viability of pig kidneys in humans.
The pig kidney, created by biotech company eGenesis, underwent extensive genetic modifications using CRISPR to reduce the risk of rejection and infection.
Doctors highlight the potential of xenotransplantation to address the U.S. organ shortage, with nearly 90,000 people currently waiting for a kidney transplant.
Andrews, who had a low chance of receiving a human kidney, reports feeling revitalized post-surgery and hopes his experience inspires others facing kidney failure.