Ethical Issues in Xenotransplantation: The First Pig-to-Human Heart Transplant

On January 7, 2022, the first heart transplant from a pig to a human being was performed by a team headed by Bartley Griffith at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, culminating many years of experimental work with animals. 1 Kotz D. UM Medicine Performs Historic Xenotransplantation. UMB News. https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/january-2022/um-medicine-performs-historic-xenotransplantation.php Google Scholar The procedure was not part of a clinical study, but rather proceeded under a one-off approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration on grounds of compassionate use in a patient who had no other option. The patient, David Bennett, was not a candidate for the heart transplant waiting list because of a history of noncompliance with medical orders, according to his son. 2 Marcus A.D. Pig-Heart Transplant Jolts Doctors Confronting Lack of Organ Donors. Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/pig-heart-transplant-donor-organs-11641948330 Google Scholar As of this writing, a week after the operation, Mr Bennett is alive and doing well.