Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Keeps US Patient Alive for Nine Months
A gene-edited pig kidney functioned inside a patient for 271 days, marking a breakthrough in the search for alternatives to human organ transplants.
By Elena Petrova · First published 4 Sept 2026
In brief
- A 66-year-old man named Tim Andrews received a genetically modified pig kidney in the United States.
- The pig kidney kept Andrews alive for 271 days and eliminated his need for dialysis during that period.
- This is the longest a pig kidney has ever functioned in a human, setting a new record for xenotransplantation.
- The organ served as a temporary solution until Andrews received a human kidney transplant.
- Researchers see this as a major step toward using animal organs to address the chronic shortage of human donors.
Timeline · 5 moments
Genetically modified pig kidney keeps man alive for nine months
Guardian Health ↗Pig kidney works in human body for a record 271 days
BBC - Home ↗First pig kidney acts as 'bridge' to human transplant
The New York Times ↗Patient receives human kidney after 271 days with pig organ
Top World News- News18.com ↗Medical teams confirm record-setting pig kidney function in human
Time.news ↗How it started
Tim Andrews, a 66-year-old man with end-stage kidney failure, faced long odds while waiting for a human kidney transplant. Doctors in the United States offered him a new option: a genetically modified pig kidney, designed to be less likely to trigger rejection in humans.
The pig, named Wilma according to Guardian Health, provided the organ. The procedure was part of ongoing research into xenotransplantation, which aims to use animal organs to help patients who would otherwise wait months or years for a match.
How it unfolded
Doctors carried out the transplant in late 2025 or early 2026, although reports do not specify the exact date. After the surgery, the pig kidney began working inside Andrews. He did not need dialysis for the entire time the organ functioned.
Sky News and the BBC reported that the kidney worked for 271 days, just under nine months. This was the longest period a pig kidney has survived and functioned in a human patient.
Throughout this time, doctors closely monitored Andrews. The kidney performed its job effectively, keeping him stable while he remained on the transplant waiting list. The pig kidney acted as a "bridge" until a human donor organ became available, as described by The New York Times.
Eventually, Andrews received a human kidney transplant. The pig kidney was removed, having fulfilled its temporary purpose.
Where it stands
The transplant is being called a major milestone in xenotransplantation research. The success has raised hopes for patients facing long waits for human organs.
Doctors and researchers are now analyzing the results and considering next steps for broader trials. The case has drawn attention from transplant specialists worldwide, who see promise in gene-edited animal organs as a possible solution to organ shortages.
What to watch
Researchers will be watching for results from future trials to see if pig organs can work safely and reliably in more patients. Regulators and ethicists will also weigh in as the technology moves closer to wider clinical use.
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