Technology using pig lungs to filter human blood

American scientists are testing gene editing technology in pig lungs, enabling them to filter human blood and potentially transplant them into humans in the future.

According toNational GeographicIn the laboratory of Dr. Lars Burdorf at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA, scientists are testing CRISPR gene editing technology, eliminating viruses harmful to humans in pig organs.

Although pig organs cannot be transplanted into humans yet, experiments on transplanting pig organs into primates have achieved some success. By editing the genes of pig lungs with human genes, they will no longer reject human blood, but instead oxygenate it.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are waiting for organ transplants. CRISPR technology could change that game, allowing animal organs to be used for human transplants. Pigs are the leading “mammal” candidates for organs, because their organs are similar in size to humans.

However, pig organs are often infected with porcine endogenous virus (PERV, similar to HIV virus), which is harmful to humans. This is the limitation of using pig organs for human transplantation. CRISPR technology has opened up a new future, eliminating this limitation.

According to VNE