- Human xenotransplantation was first attempted in the 1980s. In 1984, American Baby Fae, diagnosed with a congenital cardiac problem, received a baboon heart.
- Although the procedure was successful, the infant succumbed within a month of the transplantation because her immune system rejected it.
- For over 50 years, pig heart valves have been utilised to replace defective valves.
- In addition, some diabetic patients have received porcine pancreatic cells.
- Pigs are becoming more common organ transplant recipients.
- Pigs outperform primates in organ harvesting because they are simpler to grow and reach an adult human size in six months.
- Pigs also have a huge litter. As a result, pigs might produce an endless supply of organs, tissues, and cells.
- Pig organs are anatomically and physiologically comparable to human organs. For example, cardiac output and stroke volume, two important measures of cardiac function, have been observed to be equivalent in pigs and humans.
- Moreover, porcine components are also more suited for genetic engineering. According to scientists, pigs can be genetically modified to lessen the odds of rejection by the human body.
- Xenotransplantation involves several medical concerns.
- Immunological rejection from animal to human transplantation poses significant dangers to the patient. In rare situations, this can result in the recipient's instant death. Although well-human donor organs can be rejected after transplantation, the risk is likely greater with animal organs.
- Pigs have a shorter life than humans, so their tissues deteriorate faster. As a result, it is unclear if the organ will survive in the long run.
- Disease transmission (zoonosis) continues to be a serious public health problem. Concerns have been raised about the possible infection of receivers with both identified and unknown infectious organisms and the subsequent dissemination to their close contacts and the wider human population.
- Aside from the medical difficulties, xenotransplantation involves several ethical concerns.
- Animal rights groups, like those who oppose animal experimentation, have raised ethical concerns about xenotransplantation. Animal rights activists vehemently oppose killing animals to extract their organs for human use.
- Permanent changes to an animal's genetic coding are also grounds for concern. Activists argue that modifying animal DNA to make them more human-like is immoral.
