Towana Looney's Historic Xenotransplant: Insights Gathered from 130 Days with a Pig Kidney
Towana Looney's experimental pig kidney was removed after 130 days due to rejection, marking a notable chapter in xenotransplantation research.
Making xenotransplant ultimately work is going to be won with singles and doubles, not swinging for the fence every time we do one of these.
Doctors remove pig kidney from an Alabama woman after a record 130 days
Boston Herald·7d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.The ongoing quest for animal-to-human transplants faces a setback with the rejection of the pig kidney.
Doctors remove pig kidney from an Alabama woman after a record 130 days
Associated Press·8d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Looney's transplant was part of a larger effort to provide genetically engineered pig organs to help solve the human organ shortage.
She set the record for living longest with a pig kidney. Then it failed.
USA TODAY·8d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Doctors hope that genetically modified pig kidneys, hearts, livers and other organs may some day alleviate the long-standing shortage of organs.
Pig kidney transplant fails after patient rejection
NPR·8d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Looney is now back home in Alabama and says she’s grateful for the opportunity she had to participate in the research.
Transplanted pig kidney removed after functioning in living patient for more than four months
CNN·8d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Looney’s experience offers valuable lessons for the upcoming clinical trial.
Pig Kidney Removed From Woman After Record 130 Days
Newsmax·8d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Summary
Towana Looney survived for 130 days with a genetically modified pig kidney, the longest survival recorded. Despite her body's rejection of the organ, which occurred post-surgery after the lowering of anti-rejection meds, Looney emphasized her gratitude for the experience as insightful for future xenotransplant research. After the April 4 surgery at NYU Langone Health, she has returned to dialysis but appreciated her time free from treatment. This case represents a significant step in addressing the organ transplant crisis in the U.S., where over 103,000 individuals await suitable organ donations.
Perspectives
Towana Looney's case highlights the potential of xenotransplantation in addressing organ shortages, having lived 130 days with a pig kidney before its removal due to rejection, setting a record for human-pig organ compatibility.
Her experience provides valuable lessons for future clinical trials in this emerging field, showing the importance of carefully managing immunosuppression while allowing the immune system to function.
Looney's journey and the data collected from her case contribute invaluable insights into the development of genetically engineered pig organs, emphasizing both the promise and the pitfalls of this medical research.
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