Woman Lives with Pig Kidney for Over Nine Months, Setting Record
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
A woman lived with a pig kidney for over nine months without dialysis, setting a new record for xenotransplantation using CRISPR gene editing by eGenesis.
Background
The operation took place at Massachusetts General Hospital on November 22, 2025. The procedure utilized CRISPR gene editing by eGenesis, a Cambridge-based biotech company, to reduce organ rejection risks.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TeGenesis: A Cambridge-based biotech company using CRISPR gene editing for xenotransplantation.
- FactThe patient lived with the pig kidney for over nine months, surpassing the previous record of 271 days.
- BodyFDA: The patient was one of five recipients under the FDA’s expanded access pathway for experimental treatments.
- S&TCRISPR: A gene-editing technology used to modify pig kidneys to reduce immediate rejection risks in humans.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with xenotransplantation and the use of CRISPR technology in human organ replacement.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Bioethical dilemma: Balancing the urgency of organ shortages against potential zoonotic disease transmission risks
- Regulatory oversight: Ensuring safety and efficacy under 'expanded access' pathways for experimental biotech treatments
- Technological bottleneck: Limitations in extending pig kidney functionality beyond the one-year mark
Keywords: Xenotransplantation · CRISPR gene editing · Organ shortage · Expanded access pathway · Zoonotic risk
More Science & Technology notes
- AI Firm Anthropic Bans Accounts for Evading Safeguards in Weapons Research · 11 September 2026
- On Wednesday, OpenAI's Chris Lehane called for binding safety requirements on powerful · 11 September 2026
- Climate Hazards Disrupt School for 171 Million Students, Threatening $200 Billion in Losses · 11 September 2026
- Trees Surprisingly Cope Better: Warmth Hikes Respiration Just 5% · 10 September 2026
- AI Safety Whistleblower Quitting Over Race to Develop Unchecked Superintelligence · 10 September 2026
- AI Agents Cheat, Hack: Experts Call for Stricter Regulation · 10 September 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
Report a mistake →Ask for something →thesatyadheesh@gmail.com
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.