⏰ when
When Was the First Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant?
medicinescience
Quick Answer
The first pig-to-human heart transplant was performed on 7 January 2022.
The Full Story
On 7 January 2022 at the University of Maryland Medical Center, surgeons transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into 57-year-old David Bennett Sr, who was ineligible for a conventional transplant. The pig had been genetically edited to remove genes triggering immune rejection and to add human-compatible genes. Bennett survived about two months, dying on 8 March 2022. His case was a milestone in xenotransplantation and spurred further research, including subsequent pig-kidney transplants in late 2024 and 2025.
Key Facts
1.Ten genetic modifications were made to the donor pig.
2.Bennett reportedly said, "It was either die or do this transplant" before the surgery.
3.A pig virus (porcine cytomegalovirus) was later found in Bennett's body and may have contributed to his death.
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"A Pig's Heart in a Human — The Dawn of Xenotransplantation"