Groundbreaking Pig Lung Transplant Performed on Brain-Dead Human

Researchers at a university in China have, for the first time, transplanted a lung from a genetically modified pig into a brain-dead human, reports Sveriges Radio's Vetenskapsradion.

According to the study, recently published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine, the transplantation was conducted in Guangzhou in May last year. The recipient was a 39-year-old man declared brain-dead following a cerebral hemorrhage, whose family had given written consent for the procedure.

The researchers reported that the transplanted lung remained functional for nine days before the study concluded. No signs of hyperacute rejection or infection were observed, although the lung began to show signs of fluid accumulation and damage a day after the transplantation.

Sandra Lindstedt, a senior physician and professor of thoracic surgery and transplantation at Skåne University Hospital in Lund, told Vetenskapsradion that it is "a major and important step," but emphasized that a lung is a complex organ to transplant.

"I believe that when it comes to lungs, we have a very long way to go before we can do this safely for our patients," she said.

The researchers behind the study also noted that there are "significant challenges" remaining with the method and that further studies are required before the procedure can be considered for clinical use.