1y ago

First human transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney performed

www.npr.org /sections/health-shots/2024/03/21/1239790816/first-pig-kidney-human-transplant

23 comments

Awesome. Seems like this is the key here:
Several biotech companies are racing to develop a supply of cloned pigs whose DNA has been genetically modified so they won't be rejected by the human body, spread pig viruses to people or cause other complications.
The eGenesis pigs are bred with 69 genetic modifications to prepare organs for human transplantation. The changes protect against a virus known to infect pigs as well as delete pig genes and add human genes to make the organs compatible with people.
I recall some groups trying xenotransplantation in the past, but the patients' own immune systems always rejected the transplanted organ after only a short time. Glad to see that we're starting to find solutions to this.
Great news. How long until horse cock transplants?
- I'm not sure when they'll be taking a Chance on those. (Ba-dum, pssh.)
This comments section has turned into a "hate the vegans" thread, and isn't really doing anything productive. If someone makes a statement or comparison about animal cruelty that you don't agree with, disagreeing is fine... but throwing insults and making disingenuous "but plants feel pain tho" arguments is completely counter-productive.
Thread locked.
How is this uplifting news? You killed an intelligent animal. I will never find this anything but grotesque that people think that our lives are more important than everything else's on the planet.
We're a really dumb species sometimes. Probably why we got climate change bcz we forgot we are actually part of the ecosystem, not above it.
Edit: Downvote all you want. I'm aware that this isn't a popular opinion.
- It's actually interesting because your point on ethical considerations was actually raised in the article itself. It's an important thing to think about and discuss, no matter which "side" you're on.
  I will say, on the kidney side of things...you do have two so I suppose there's a chance they let the pig live. I just skinned the article but I couldn't find out that info unfortunately.
  
  I'm glad the point was raise bcz I think it's important to consider that these animals are thinking, breathing, feelings beings just as much as we are.
  The fact that we have slaughter houses full of them is a crime against nature in my opinion.
  I tend to get a lot of hate when this comes up bcz people aren't willing to think of species other than humans as of equally deserving of life an autonomy. I honestly don't understand why it's a controversial opinion considering mu opinion, is be kind and stop being cruel.
  But then again, we can't even do that for our own species, so why should I expect we can view other species as deserving of respect.
- The uplifting part is that someone's child or father or mother or auntie or uncle didn't die when they otherwise would have.
  
  I don't find it uplifting to kill an animal so a human can live. That's not uplifting to me.
- We can cure these diseases without killing animals, and save children. That is a false dichotomy on your part.
  I do appreciate you calling me a weirdo tho for having empathy for intelligent species other than humans. It speaks magnitudes about you, not me.

23 comments