Doctors at NYU Langone Health removed a pig kidney from Towana Looney, a woman in her fifties from Alabama, after her body rejected it four months post-transplant.
The genetically modified organ, implanted on November 25, 2024, set a record, functioning for 130 days —surpassing the previous recipients, who survived for no more than two months. Despite the rejection, the procedure highlights potential in addressing the human kidney shortage using animal organs, though challenges remain.
Looney, now on dialysis, is eligible for a human kidney transplant if one becomes available, offering hope for future advancements in xenotransplantation.
