Alabama Woman Receives Gene-Edited Pig Kidney

Towana Looney, a 53-year-old woman from Alabama, has become the third living person to receive a gene-edited pig kidney transplant, marking a significant advancement in xenotransplantation. The procedure, performed at NYU Langone Health, has freed her from eight years of dialysis, with Looney expressing her newfound energy and relief. Unlike previous recipients who faced severe health issues post-transplant, Looney is recovering well, with doctors noting that her kidney function appears normal. This transplant is part of ongoing research to address the critical organ shortage in the U.S., where over 100,000 people are on the waiting list for kidneys. The FDA granted special permission for this experimental procedure, which could pave the way for more studies on animal organ transplants in humans. If the pig kidney fails, Looney may need to resume dialysis, but her case provides hope for many others in need of organ transplants.