In a world-first medical breakthrough, Chinese doctors have successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig liver into a brain-dead human patient, offering new hope in the race to solve global organ shortages.
The pioneering surgery, conducted on March 10, 2024, at the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, was detailed in a new study published Wednesday in the prestigious journal Nature. The patient, whose identity remains undisclosed, was kept under observation for 10 days before the trial was ended at the family’s request. Doctors emphasized that all ethical protocols were followed.
The procedure marks the first time a pig liver has been tested inside a human body, and researchers describe the organ’s performance as promising.
“The pig liver functioned really well,” said study co-author Dr. Lin Wang, noting it secreted bile and produced albumin, a key protein. “It’s a great achievement that could help people with liver disease in the future.”
Rather than replacing the patient’s original liver, the transplanted organ served as an auxiliary or “bridge” organ, supporting liver function as patients wait for human donors. This approach could eventually help those with liver failure survive longer while on transplant waiting lists.
The liver came from a miniature pig genetically engineered with six modified genes to make it more compatible with the human body and reduce the risk of rejection.
Over the 10-day period, doctors monitored blood flow, immune response, bile production, and other vital functions. While the pig liver did produce bile and proteins, it did so at lower levels than a human liver, researchers noted.
“Livers are more complex than hearts. They perform multiple critical functions, which makes successful transplantation more challenging,” Dr. Lin explained.
Experts around the world hailed the experiment as a vital step toward future solutions.
“The results are valuable and impressive,” said Professor Peter Friend, a transplant specialist at Oxford University. However, he cautioned that genetically modified pig organs are not yet a substitute for human donor livers. “This is a useful test of compatibility and could support patients temporarily in the future.”
Dr. Lin acknowledged the role of international cooperation in reaching this milestone, stating, “We’ve learned a great deal from U.S. research teams. Collaboration has been key.”
Previously, U.S. researchers from the University of Pennsylvania attached a pig liver outside the body of a brain-dead patient for observational purposes. However, this is the first time such an organ has been surgically implanted inside a human.
While pig heart transplants have been attempted in the U.S., both recipients passed away shortly after surgery
The team in Xi’an plans to continue testing pig livers in humans under controlled, ethically approved conditions. Their long-term goal: to develop viable pig organs that can temporarily or even permanently support humans with liver failure.
With global demand for liver transplants far exceeding supply, scientists hope that genetically engineered pigs may one day offer a life-saving bridge—and perhaps more.