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A pig’s heart beating in a human? This medical feat has already been achieved – at least for a short time.
Kidneys from animals have also been transplanted. Last year, a 62-year-old man lived with a pig kidney for almost two months before he died of a sudden heart disease, as recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.
There is growing hope that organs from animals can help ease the global shortage of donor organs.
Research into the transfer of animal organs to humans, known as xenotransplantation, has been going on for decades. But such interventions have only been approved in isolated cases.

The US Food and Drug Administration has now, for the first time, allowed clinical trials for the transplantation of pig kidneys. The biotech company United Therapeutics plans to include up to 50 people in the study this summer; the second company involved is eGenesis.
The genetic material of the donor animals must be modified to prevent the organs from being rejected by the recipients.
The animals are developed and bred for this purpose – not only in the United States, but also at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in Germany.
Konrad Fischer, head of the TUM’s xenotransplantation section, explains how the genetic make-up of the donor animals is modified.
Among other things, this involves certain sugar structures on the surface of pig cells, against which humans naturally have antibodies. The Munich researchers are “at the forefront worldwide” in these developments.
Pigs are used because they initially show a high degree of compatibility to humans and are actually well suited in terms of anatomical structures
Philipp Felgendreff, transplant surgeon
“We could perform these individualised treatments in Europe at any time – we have the animals available, we have the know-how available and we would be ready to go,” Fischer says.
But in the US, there is more money available at universities, a high level of industry cooperation and more infrastructure, for example for keeping pigs under very clean conditions.
Pigs have proven to be particularly promising donors.
“Pigs are used because they initially show a high degree of compatibility to humans and are actually well suited in terms of anatomical structures,” says transplant surgeon Philipp Felgendreff from the Hannover Medical School, who has “high hopes” for this approach.

However, it is still too early to estimate when this procedure could become established and then be made available to the tens of thousands of people who could benefit from it.
“Of course, this now depends above all on the studies that are starting in the US,” Felgendreff says.
According to the surgeon, people with pig organs have so far survived for a few months, whereas with human organs the probability of survival has long been 10, 15 or even 20 years.
“There the gap is still very, very large.”
One challenge is to ensure that animal organs are free of microorganisms that could harm humans. It is not easy to assess the risk of infection through transplantation, says Joachim Denner of the Free University of Berlin.

This is because viruses can bypass the skin’s protective system and enter the system. There are also viruses that do no harm to healthy people, but do to sick people.
Denner recalls that a case was reported of a herpes virus from pigs being transmitted and contributing to the death of the patient.
He and numerous other experts are working to reduce the risk of transmission. For example, a vaccine against porcine retroviruses has been developed as a purely precautionary measure. These are integrated into the genome of the pig and cannot be eliminated by breeding under germ-free conditions.
As soon as I woke up after the surgery, the cloud of dialysis disappeared. I felt re-energised and revitalised. It was a miracle
Tim Andrews after receiving a pig kidney transplant
The current focus is on kidneys and hearts, but humans can receive many more animal organs. Research is also being conducted on the transplantation of livers and lungs, of joint cells and islet cells for people with diabetes, as well as heart valves and the transplantation of skin and bone particles, for example after burns.
“Almost all organs and tissues from pigs can be used to heal patients,” explains Fischer.
But which people are eligible for such a risky procedure – and which ones want it?
United Therapeutics would like to include patients in the study who, for medical reasons, are not eligible for a human transplant, as well as those who are more likely to die than to receive a kidney within the next five years.

Transplant surgeon Felgendreff also believes that a xenograft should not be given to someone who has a good chance of receiving a human organ.
It is also conceivable, for example, that someone with acute liver failure might need a liver quickly. In this case, the pig organ could be used as a temporary solution for a certain period of time.
If the upcoming studies go well, xenotransplantation could help patients on the waiting list, says Felgendreff. And it could be “really soon – even if we’re still talking about years”.
Tim Andrews, 66, received a pig kidney developed by eGenesis at the end of January. He had previously been dependent on dialysis for two years, like millions of other people worldwide with diseased kidneys.
According to the company, the dialysis made him feel constantly tired and unable to pursue his usual activities. He says: “As soon as I woke up after the surgery, the cloud of dialysis disappeared. I felt re-energised and revitalised. It was a miracle.”
For people like him, pig kidneys are a “glimmer of hope”.
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Wellness

Genetically altered pigs are being bred as organ donors for humans in Germany (above) and the United States, which has recently approved pig kidney transplants for human patients. Photo: Reuters

Tim Andrews speaks with surgeons Dr Leonardo Riella (left) and Dr Tatsuo Kawai after his transplant. Photo: AP

Surgeons from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston successfully transplanted a genetically-edited pig kidney into 66-year-old Tim Andrews, on January 25, 2025. Photo: AP

The US Food and Drug Administration has now for the first time allowed clinical trials for the transplantation of pig kidneys. Illustration: Shutterstock

Tim Andrews smiles as he leaves Massachusetts General Hospital, in Boston, after his successful pig kidney transplant. Photo: AP

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Sepsis is caused by the body’s response to an infection or injury. Illustration: Shutterstock

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Dr Lowell Ling, a clinical assistant professor and specialist in intensive care at CUHK, talks during a conference on sepsis research. Photo: CUHK

6 prescriptions for lifelong love from Hong Kong doctors who had a whirlwind 1967 marriage

John and Judith Mackay have been married for 57 years. Photo: Dickson Lee

John and Judith Mackay are medical doctors who have been living in Hong Kong since their marriage 57 years ago. They offer insights into how they have kept the flame of love burning since then. Photo: Dickson Lee

The cover of John Mackay’s book.

Judith and John Mackay in 1967 on their wedding day. 

Judith Mackay, third from right in the back row, in 1981 with medical staff at United Christian Hospital.

The Mackay family in Hong Kong in the 1980s.

Judith Mackay meeting the late King of Thailand, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in Bangkok in 2000, where she was given an award for her anti-tobacco work in the country. Her husband John Mackay looks on from behind her. Photo: courtesy of Judith Mackay

John Mackay with his guide Rommel at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in 1998. Photo: courtesy of John Mackay 

The Mackay family walking alpacas along Scotland’s East Lothian seashore. Photo: Dr Judith Mackay

John and Judith Mackay at their home in Sai Kung, Hong Kong. The pair read the Post every morning, then ask, what was the good news? Photo: Dickson Lee

John and Judith Mackay will celebrate 58 years of marriage in July. Photo: Dickson Lee

How Hong Kong marathon runner’s goals have come full circle after racing world’s 6 majors

Catherine Lau (front row, second), a lawyer and avid runner who completed the Six World Marathon Majors, running at the Jockey Club Fit City fundraising programme. Photo: Edmond So

Catherine Lau (second left), a Hong Kong lawyer and avid runner whose participation in the Tokyo Marathon in 2024 completed the Six World Marathon Majors, runs at a Jockey Club Fit City fundraising event. Photo: Edmond So

In January 2015, Lau competed in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and finished the race in three hours 23 minutes, her personal best time. Photo: courtesy of Catherine Lau

After finishing the Tokyo Marathon in March 2024, Lau became a six-star finisher, a title given to those who complete the six Abbott World Marathon Majors. Photo: courtesy of Catherine Lau

Lau ran the Boston Marathon in April 2015, having qualified for the race with her Hong Kong Marathon time of three hours and 28 minutes in February 2014. She describes her experience as “unforgettable”, owing to the rainy and cold weather. Photo: courtesy of Catherine Lau

After her first attempt to compete in the New York Marathon was thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lau managed to run the race in 2023. She finished in four hours and 37 minutes. Photo: courtesy of Catherine Lau

After competing in the Berlin Marathon, Lau ran marathons in Paris and Zurich before taking a break from competitive running. Photo: courtesy of Catherine Lau

Lau received her six-star medal in 2024, after she completed all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. Photo: Catherine Lau

Catherine Lau and her nephew Lau Yik-hei, who is a member of the Hong Kong triathlon national squad. Photo: Edmond So

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

The US recently approved clinical trials for pig kidney transplants, opening the door to the potential use of other organs and body parts


The US recently approved clinical trials for pig kidney transplants, opening the door to the potential use of other organs and body parts.


Medicine