Heart of Genetically Modified Pig Transplanted into Monkey

The heart of a genetically modified pig has been successfully transplanted into monkey, say scientists in South Korea.

It is the first time the country has claimed to have accomplished such an inter-species operation, Daily Mail reported.

About Transplantation
Since the early times, the novel idea of transplanting tissues and other body parts from one organism to the other has captured the imagination of successive generations.

Known as xenotransplantation, it is seen by some as a way to end the chronic shortage of human organs available for transplants.

Before the controversial procedure, conducted in Seoul, the cloned pig had its genes responsible for immune rejection removed.

The ultimate aim of such experimentation would be to put pig hearts and other swine organs into humans.

Test Your Knowledge on Heart
The heart is a fist-sized organ that pumps blood throughout the body. It is the primary organ of the human circulatory system that helps in circulation of blood throughout the body...

And the South Koreans believe this could become a commercially viable reality within five years, the newspaper added.

The first known transplant of a genetically engineered pig heart in a primate was performed in 1994.

ORGAN DONATION
Why is organ donation regarded as crisis with a cure? Read more to find out. View slide show on organ donation.

But the possibility of animal-to-human operations has divided the medical ethics community.

Source-IANS

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Heart of Genetically Modified Pig Transplanted into Monkeys

The heart of a genetically modified pig has been successfully transplanted into monkey, say scientists in South Korea.