Doctors have transplanted a pig's heart into a man for the very first time. Doctors in the USA say David Bennett, 57, is doing well after his operation. Mr Bennett was very ill. Giving him the pig's heart was his only chance of staying alive. Bennett spoke to doctors the day before the operation. He said: "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice." The pig's heart came from a genetically-modified pig. Scientists changed the pig's genes so its heart would be able to function in a human.
The transplant took seven hours. Doctors needed permission from U.S. authorities for the surgery. Scientists have been researching pig-organ transplants for many years. Mr Bennett's transplant could mean more transplants in the future. It could bring the world, "one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis". His doctor said: "We are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future." Mr Bennett hopes his transplant will let him live longer. He said: "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."
Try the same news story at these levels:
Pig-heart Transplant - Level 0, Pig-heart Transplant - Level 1 or Pig-heart Transplant - Level 3
Sources- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59944889
- https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/breakthrough-pig-heart-transplant-performed-in-us-20220111-p59ncw.html
- https://www.sciencealert.com/us-surgeons-successfully-implant-pig-heart-into-a-human-with-end-stage-heart-disease
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