XENOTRANSPLANTATION

Xenotransplantation involves transplanting from one animal
species to another. Research aims to enable transplants from
porcine to homo sapiens ie pigs to humans.

If ordinary pigs used then human recipient would hyperacute reject
pigs organ. Surgeon would see organ turning black within a
minute or so after blood flow through organ started.

Transgenic Pig: A small number of the pigs genes have been
replaced with human genes. The human recipient now sees
the transplanted organ as human.

Research needed to see if acute and chronic rejection a
problem. Need to see if organ will function in a human.
Cross species infections need to be identified and
removed or overcome.

Xenotransplantation is a decade or so into the future.