A groundbreaking medical event took place in Alabama, United States, where Towana Looney became the first human to survive for 130 days with a pig kidney. This achievement sets a new benchmark, as previous attempts involving animal kidneys did not exceed two months of functionality in humans.
Towana Looney underwent surgery to receive a genetically modified pig kidney on November 25 of last year. Although the transplant initially functioned well, doctors observed side effects in her condition after several months. As a result, a surgical team at NYU Langone Health Center in New York successfully removed the kidney on April 4. Medical professionals have since confirmed that she is recovering steadily.
Looney, who has been on dialysis since 2016, will now return to the treatment until a compatible human kidney becomes available. According to her medical team, she will undergo another transplant procedure once a suitable donor is identified.
Speaking about her experience, Towana Looney remarked, “My 130 days living with the pig kidney taught me a lot. I believe this journey will help and inspire many people facing kidney disease.”
Before this case, xenotransplants using genetically engineered pig organs had been performed on only four individuals in the United States—two kidney transplants and two heart transplants. None of those organs functioned beyond two months, and all four recipients, who were severely ill at the time, passed away.
In light of Towana Looney’s case, researchers are shifting their focus to patients who are not in critical condition, as they explore the possibilities of successful xenotransplantation. Continuing this trend, medical professionals reported that a man in New Hampshire, who received a pig kidney in January 2025, is currently in good health.
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