Unexplainable My animal heart
10 snips
Oct 2, 2024 
In this engaging discussion, Mandy Nguyen, a reporter covering xenotransplantation, teams up with Muhammad Mohiuddin, a pioneering surgeon in the field. They dive into the groundbreaking procedure of using pig hearts for human transplants as a potential solution to the organ shortage crisis. The conversation highlights the revolutionary genetic modifications made with CRISPR, the ethical dilemmas posed by such practices, and the intricate balance between medical advancements and moral responsibility. Tune in for a blend of science, ethics, and the future of transplantation!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Organ Shortage Crisis
- 17 Americans die daily waiting for organ transplants.
- Current solutions like robot hearts and grown lungs haven't solved the shortage.
Xenotransplantation Challenges
- Xenotransplantation, transplanting animal organs, faces a greater immune response than human transplants.
- Immunosuppressants are necessary, but weaken the body.
Why Pigs?
- Pig organs are chosen for xenotransplantation because of their similarity in size and function to human organs.
- This makes pigs the primary animal for this research.