For decades, medical researchers have searched for ways to address the global organ shortage.
Thousands of people die each year while waiting for a transplant, with kidneys being the most needed.
Scientists have long explored the possibility of using animal organs for human transplants, an idea that has remained largely theoretical — until now.
Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has made medical history.
Two attempts previously failed
She is the first person to survive more than two months after receiving a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig.
Her journey began on November 25, when she underwent the groundbreaking surgery in New York. Since then, doctors have closely monitored her condition, and the results have exceeded expectations.
Three weeks after the transplant, Looney’s body showed early signs of rejecting the organ, according to 20minutes.
Medical intervention was successful, and she has remained stable ever since. Now, doctors believe she may soon be able to return home.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, the lead surgeon behind the procedure, describes her recovery as nothing short of extraordinary.
"If you saw her walking down the street, you would never guess she is the only person in the world living with a functional pig kidney," he said.
The transplanted organ is performing as a healthy human kidney would, allowing Looney to lead a relatively normal life.
This breakthrough is significant for the field of xenotransplantation, which involves transplanting animal organs into human patients.
Previous attempts in the U.S. included two heart transplants and two kidney transplants from pigs, but none of the recipients survived beyond two months.
Looney’s case is offering researchers a rare opportunity to study long-term outcomes.
With over 100,000 Americans on organ transplant waiting lists, this development could signal a major shift in the future of medicine.
While there are still many unknowns, doctors are hopeful. "We don’t know what challenges lie ahead because we’ve never gotten this far," Montgomery said.
For now, Looney remains under close observation, but her progress offers hope for thousands of patients in need.
