Medical breakthrough sets unprecedented nine-month survival record as genetically modified pig kidney demonstrates viability for addressing America’s critical organ shortage crisis.
Story Highlights
- Tim Andrews lived 271 days with a genetically modified pig kidney, setting a world record for xenotransplantation survival
- Patient remained dialysis-free for nine months before complications required organ removal in October 2025
- eGenesis biotechnology company’s advanced genetic modifications enabled extended organ function in human recipient
- Success demonstrates potential solution for organ shortage affecting thousands of Americans awaiting transplants
Record-Breaking Xenotransplantation Achievement
Tim Andrews, a 67-year-old New Hampshire resident with end-stage kidney disease, made medical history by surviving with a genetically modified pig kidney for 271 days. The transplant, performed in January 2025 under compassionate use authorization, allowed Andrews to remain dialysis-free for nine months before complications necessitated organ removal in October.
This achievement more than doubled the previous survival record of four months set by Towana Looney in 2023, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation research.
Advanced Genetic Engineering Enables Success
The pig kidney’s extended survival resulted from sophisticated genetic modifications performed by eGenesis, a leading biotechnology company specializing in xenotransplantation.
Scientists removed pig antigens that typically trigger human immune rejection, added human genes to improve compatibility, and deactivated pig retroviruses to prevent cross-species infection. These comprehensive genetic alterations addressed the primary barriers that caused previous animal-to-human transplants to fail within weeks or months of implantation.
Addressing America’s Organ Shortage Crisis
The successful nine-month survival demonstrates xenotransplantation’s potential to address America’s severe organ shortage, where thousands die annually awaiting transplants. Traditional organ donation cannot meet demand, with patients often waiting years for suitable human kidneys while enduring costly dialysis treatments.
Transplant surgeon Wayne Hawthorne called Andrews’ six-month survival “an amazing feat,” noting this period represents the highest risk for rejection and complications in organ transplantation procedures.
Conservative Implications for Healthcare Independence
This medical breakthrough aligns with conservative principles of American innovation and self-reliance, reducing dependence on foreign medical technologies and government healthcare programs.
Successful xenotransplantation could decrease Medicare and Medicaid costs associated with long-term dialysis treatment while demonstrating American biotechnology leadership. The achievement occurred under Trump’s presidency, showcasing how reduced regulatory barriers can accelerate life-saving medical innovations when government steps back and allows private enterprise to solve critical healthcare challenges.
Pig Kidney Removed From Transplant Patient After Nine Months https://t.co/68QDNqtx3C
— esg división médic@ (@esgdm) October 31, 2025
Future clinical trials will build upon Andrews’ case to establish safety protocols and regulatory pathways for broader xenotransplantation implementation. The data collected during his nine-month experience provides crucial insights for improving genetic modifications and post-transplant care protocols, potentially transforming organ transplantation from a limited resource dependent on human donors to a renewable solution through genetically engineered animal organs.
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Pig Kidney Removed From Transplant Patient After Nine Months
