Argentina Clones First Pig for Organ Transplants in Latin America

Scientists in Argentina have achieved a historic milestone by cloning the first genetically modified pig in Latin America, a development that could offer a vital solution to the global organ shortage. The cloned pig is engineered with genetic modifications designed to overcome human immune system defenses, a crucial step toward making animal organs viable for human transplantation.

The project, a joint effort between the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) and the National University of San Martín (UNSAM), successfully modified three genes responsible for the aggressive immune response that typically leads to organ rejection. The cloning and gene editing were performed at UNSAM, while the UBA's Faculty of Veterinary Sciences managed the gestation and birth of the piglet in April.

"We are responsible for maintaining the gestation and the birth, meaning we are the final link in the project, but also the beginning of the piglet-rearing stage," stated veterinarian Marcelo Acerbo, a professor at UBA's Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. The team plans to expand its efforts, with two more sows currently pregnant and a goal of having five more clones.

The next phase involves adding seven more genes to enhance the compatibility of pig organs with the human body. This includes modifying growth hormones to adjust the size of organs like the liver or heart, which can be too large from adult pigs for human recipients. This xenotransplantation research aims to provide a much-needed alternative for the approximately 7,000 people in Argentina who urgently require a transplant, a stark contrast to the limited availability of human donors.

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We are responsible for maintaining the gestation and the birth, meaning we are the final link in the project, but also the beginning of the piglet-rearing stage.