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Scientists could be just TWO YEARS away from transplanting pig organs into humans

Scientists could be just two years away from transplanting animal organs into people, a new study has suggested.

In an effort to overcome the stumbling blocks preventing animal-to-human transplants – something that would ease the pressure on organ transplant waiting lists – scientists looked into modifying a pig’s genome to remove harmful retroviruses.

In a study published in Science, Professor George Church, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School, and his colleagues used a genetic tool to render retroviruses in pig cells inactive, meaning it would not jump into other cells – often an issue with transplants.

<em>Genetics – scientists used a genetic tool to render retroviruses inactive (Pictures: Rex)</em>
Genetics – scientists used a genetic tool to render retroviruses inactive (Pictures: Rex)

They implanted the new DNA into an embryo that was implanted into a surrogate sow who then gave birth to completely healthy piglets.

Professor Church said he hoped to develop the technology so that trials could begin in people, with the earliest clinical trials potentially taking place in two years.

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He said viruses are often a stumbling block when it comes to transplanting pig organs into humans, because of the risk they carry of passing on dangerous retroviruses.

“The viruses are particularly troubling,” said Prof Church. “Swine flu and ebola and HIV were all cases where the virus of the animal was in close contact with a human. Nothing could be closer contact than an organ in the middle of the body.”