The First Pig Heart Transplant: Saving One Now Means Saving Thousands in the Future

On January 7, in Baltimore, Mayland, doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center performed a heart transplant surgery on David Bennett, age 57. What is special about this transplant is that the new heart is a genetically-engineered pig heart, experimentally used after several medical centers deemed Mr. Bennett’s disease ineligible for a human heart or an artificial pump.

The doctors who took part in the surgery were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure, on the basis that Mr. Bennett- who has terminal heart disease- would otherwise have died. The doctors and surgeons knew that this transplant was a gamble, but it was the last effort they could make to save Bennett’s life. The surgery was successful, and as of now, David Bennett is living in the medical center under the supervision and careful monitoring of many doctors.

“I hope he recovers soon,” said Tiffany C., a freshman at AISG. “He definitely took a big risk to accept this heart transplant, he at least deserves to be credited for being brave.”

The genetically-engineered pig heart had three genes that are responsible for the rejection of pig organs by human immune systems knocked out from the donor pig, and one gene was taken out to prevent excessive pig heart tissue growth. Furthermore, six human genes responsible for immune acceptance were inserted.

“Seems like the organ shortage problem will be resolved soon,” said Jacky H., a junior at AISG. “I remember reading about people dying due to the lack of transplant opportunities, this man (Bennett) took the first step for us humans.”

“What everybody wants is not to be limited simply by the supply of human organs for transplant,” said Dr. Griffith, one of the transplant directors at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “A number of organs can be treated and used in this way from an animal.”

May Mr. Bennett recover soon from his condition.