First Ever PIG LIVER Transplant Shocks Experts

Surgeons performing an operation in a sterile environment

Chinese surgeons achieved a medical breakthrough that could revolutionize organ transplantation, keeping a dying patient alive for 171 days with a genetically engineered pig liver—a milestone that offers hope for thousands of Americans facing organ shortages while raising crucial questions about medical ethics and safety.

Story Highlights

First living human receives genetically modified pig liver, surviving 171 days post-transplant
Ten gene modifications made pig liver compatible with human physiology
Breakthrough demonstrates potential solution to critical organ shortage crisis
Patient ultimately died from immune complications, highlighting ongoing medical challenges

Historic Medical Milestone Achieved

Chinese medical teams at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University performed the world’s first pig-to-human liver transplant in a living patient on May 17, 2024. The 71-year-old recipient, suffering from hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and liver cancer, received an auxiliary genetically engineered pig liver alongside his existing organ. This groundbreaking procedure, led by Dr. Beicheng Sun, represents a critical advancement in xenotransplantation—the transplantation of animal organs into humans. The pig liver functioned effectively for several weeks, performing essential metabolic processes and demonstrating the viability of cross-species organ transplantation.

Advanced Genetic Engineering Enables Compatibility

The transplanted liver came from Diannan miniature pigs engineered by Yunnan Agricultural University with ten specific gene modifications. These genetic alterations reduced immune rejection risks and improved compatibility with human physiology—significantly more extensive modifications than previous xenotransplantation attempts. The engineering process involved removing pig genes that trigger human immune responses while adding human genes to enhance organ acceptance. This represents a substantial leap forward from earlier xenotransplantation efforts, which failed primarily due to severe immune rejection. The sophisticated genetic modifications enabled the pig liver to integrate temporarily with the patient’s circulatory system and perform critical liver functions.

Addressing America’s Organ Crisis

This medical breakthrough addresses a critical healthcare crisis affecting hundreds of thousands globally, including many Americans awaiting life-saving organ transplants. In China alone, hundreds of thousands suffer from liver failure annually, but only approximately 6,000 receive transplants due to severe donor shortages. The liver’s complexity—including its size, dual blood supply, and multifunctional role—has historically made it the most challenging organ for xenotransplantation compared to hearts or kidneys. Dr. Sun noted that previous medical consensus held liver transplantation as too complicated, but this success challenges that assumption. The procedure could serve as a “bridge therapy” for patients awaiting human organs or liver regeneration.

Medical Challenges and Future Implications

Despite initial success, the patient ultimately succumbed to complications related to immune reactions and internal bleeding after 171 days. The case revealed ongoing challenges with coagulation disorders and immune system management that must be resolved before widespread clinical application. However, researchers consider this a proof-of-concept demonstrating xenotransplantation’s potential viability. The study, published in the Journal of Hepatology on October 9, 2025, provides crucial data for future research and development. Medical experts believe this breakthrough will accelerate research investment in genetic engineering and immunosuppressive therapies, potentially transforming organ transplantation within the next decade.

This medical advancement represents both tremendous promise and significant challenges ahead. While the patient’s survival for 171 days proves genetically modified pig organs can temporarily sustain human life, the ultimate outcome underscores the need for continued research into immune compatibility and coagulation management. For American families facing organ shortages, this breakthrough offers hope that viable alternatives to human donors may emerge within the coming years, potentially saving countless lives currently lost to transplant waiting lists.