Babbage from The Economist (subscriber edition) Part man, part pig: how animal organs could save human lives
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Nov 5, 2025 
Join Emilie Steinmark, The Economist's science correspondent, and Leonardo Riella, a kidney doctor from Massachusetts General Hospital, as they dive into the fascinating world of xenotransplantation. They explore how genetically modified pig organs could solve the organ shortage crisis. Discover the innovative CRISPR modifications that make pig organs suitable for humans, hear about real-life transplant experiences, and ponder the ethical implications. Will this groundbreaking approach reshape the future of organ transplants?
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Patient Volunteers For Pig Kidney Trial
- Tim Andrews was on dialysis and volunteered to receive a genetically modified pig kidney at Massachusetts General Hospital.
- The transplant freed him from dialysis and gave him months of improved energy and life quality.
Huge Global Shortage Of Donor Organs
- Only about 10% of people worldwide who need organ transplants receive them.
- This severe donor shortage motivates exploration of animal organs as an alternative source.
Gene Editing Revives Xenotransplantation
- Advances in precise gene editing have reignited xenotransplantation prospects.
- CRISPR now lets scientists tailor pig genomes to reduce human rejection risks.