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Can a pig liver be used in a human liver transplant?

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Liver transplant breakthrough set to save thousands of lives: Thank the pigs! .... read more

Organs from pigs have been the focus of much of the research, due to the physiologic similarities between pigs and human and nonhuman primates. Xenotransplantation of organs from chimpanzees/ monkeys/ baboons has been avoided, because of ethical concerns and fear of transmission of deadly viruses. read more

The pig's liver will be hooked up to the patient and be used to filter the patient's blood. For a few days, the organ can bridge the gap in time between the onset of acute liver failure and the availability of a human liver for transplant. read more

"It was the shortage of human organs that really makes this necessary," said Dr. Andrew Klein, director of the Hopkins Hospital liver transplantation program. Susan Okon of Hyattsville said yesterday she was surprised but not at all bothered to learn after the transplant that a pig's liver had been used to buy her extra time. read more

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