Tue Dec 17 14:11:06 UTC 2024: ## Alabama Woman Receives Gene-Edited Pig Kidney, Offering Hope for Organ Transplant Crisis
**New York, NY** – In a medical breakthrough, Towana Looney, a 53-year-old Alabama woman, has become the latest recipient of a gene-edited pig kidney, marking the only living person currently with an animal organ transplant. The successful seven-hour surgery, performed at NYU Langone Health on November 25th, offers renewed hope for addressing the critical organ shortage affecting thousands.
Looney, who previously donated a kidney to her mother, suffered kidney failure years later due to pregnancy complications. After eight years on dialysis, her condition worsened due to high antibody levels, making finding a human donor extremely difficult. The gene-edited pig kidney provides a potential solution, though previous attempts have had mixed results. One recipient passed away two months post-surgery, while another needed to return to dialysis after 47 days before also passing.
Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the procedure, emphasized the significance of Looney’s case. He stated that this surgery represents a crucial step towards potential clinical trials, under FDA guidance, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene-edited pig kidneys as a sustainable organ source. Dr. Montgomery, who has performed six previous human xenotransplantations, described Looney’s success as a testament to the generosity of those involved in the research.
While Looney has been discharged to an apartment in New York City, she will require periodic inpatient care as her immune system adjusts to the new organ. She is expected to return home to Alabama in three months. This groundbreaking procedure marks a significant advancement in xenotransplantation and offers a beacon of hope for the more than 100,000 Americans currently awaiting organ transplants.
First Piper 