In the last two years, gene-edited pig kidneys have gone from proof-of-concept to actual, life-sustaining transplants in human patients.

The goal is to solve the chronic shortage of transplant organs by building a reliable supply, one gene-edited pig at a time.

This is a huge milestone in the long pursuit of xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting animal organs into people.

2024 and 2025 have seen milestones that would’ve been pure science fiction a decade ago.

In March 2024, Massachusetts General Hospital made headlines by transplanting a genetically engineered pig kidney, with over 60 specific gene edits, into a living patient, Richard Slayman. For nearly two months, the organ functioned well enough that Slayman was able to come off dialysis, return home, and reclaim a bit of normalcy. The kidney ultimately failed just shy of the two-month mark, but this proved that non-human organs could, at least temporarily, sustain human life.

In October 2025, a man named Tim Andrews set a new benchmark, receiving a pig kidney with 10 gene edits and an advanced immunosuppressive regimen. His transplant lasted a record-setting period 271 days, demonstrating further progress in both organ engineering and post-transplant care.

Why edit so many genes?

It all comes down to compatibility and integration.

Pig organs, without gene-editing, provoke intense immune reactions in humans. To sidestep this, scientists knock out or swap in specific genes to mask the pig’s “foreignness,” removing sugar markers, reducing clotting, and even adding human immune-modulating genes.

More edits mean less immune response and better long-term function. At least, that’s the theory being tested now.

The vision propelling this effort is to replace scarcity with abundance.

Tens of thousands of people die each year waiting for a kidney that never comes. If gene-edited pigs can reliably provide compatible organs, transplant lists could shrink, or even disappear.

It’s early days. There are setbacks, ethical questions, and technical challenges at every turn. But after decades of cautious optimism, the last two years have shown compelling evidence in real patients, using real pig organs, and the real possibility that science is finally catching up to imagination.

Prompt: A mage stands solemnly on a rocky ledge, gazing at the colossal, ruined celestial cathedral suspended above a sea of clouds. The dark, billowing cloak flutters in the wind as they grip a glowing staff, casting an orange light, while ethereal blue runes dance across the gothic structure, glowing against a turbulent sky of swirling auroras, lightning, and distant mountain peaks beneath the floating monument. Illustrative epic fantasy, strong coarse film grain, painterly texture, canvas tooth, subtle halftone speckle, high-contrast cinematic lighting, volumetric haze, rim light, glowing accents, atmospheric perspective, not photorealistic, no text, no watermark, no UI

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PS—While shocking, this idea may actually save many lives. I’m all for it even though it sounds a bit unorthodox at first.