2023-10-11 17:18:29
A cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) in the Ubud monkey forest in Bali Image: picture alliance / imageBROKER
Genetic modifications should allow the transfer of pig organs to humans. Researchers from a US company are now reporting that some monkeys survived the transplant for around two years.
If it becomes possible to use animal organs in humans, this would significantly increase the number of possible transplants. Researchers from the US company eGenesis report this Wednesday in the journal “Nature” about experiments on cynomolgus monkeys into which kidneys from a type of specially adapted miniature pig were transplanted. Some of the animals only survived a few days or weeks; most died of kidney failure or bleeding. However, one monkey only died 758 days after the transplant, meaning it survived for a good two years. As of March 31, 2023, three others had lived 247 days, 429 days and 673 days after the organ transfer.
The research team made much more extensive use of the opportunity to genetically modify the donor pigs than in previous similar experiments: Using the Crispr/Cas genetic scissors, 69 genes were modified in a group of pigs used for the study. In addition to those that lead to rejection reactions in humans, this particularly affected viruses present in the genetic makeup of pigs – so that these cannot lead to infections in monkeys or humans. Some human genes were also “implanted” into the pigs.
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