04 | Artificial Evolution: Pig Parts for People?

from Science Friction · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Timothy Andrews has lived with a pig kidney in his body for eight months.That makes him a record breaker — living longer with a gene-edited pig kidney than anyone else in the world so far.In the final episode of Artificial Evolution, he tells us about his journey, his hopes for making it a year with the transplant, and the challenges he's faced along the way.With expanded clinical trials into this 'xenotransplantation' around the corner, researchers and advocacy groups argue a future in which animal organs are used in life-saving transplantation procedures for humans is not far off.So what is the science and history of xenotransplantation? What are the ethical concerns? And what's happening in Australia?You can hear more episodes of Science Friction with journalist Peter de Kruijff about DNA, cloning, genetic modification and gene editing on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests:Timothy AndrewsNew Hampshire, United StatesProfessor Wayne HawthorneProfessor of Transplantation, Westmead HospitalProfessor Dominique MartinProfessor of Health Ethics and Professionalism, Deakin UniversityProfessor Syd JohnsonProfessor of Bioethics, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New YorkCredits:Presenter: Peter de KruijffProducer: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: James BullenSound Engineer: Tim SymondsArchives Researcher: Lisa ChidlowThis story was made on the lands of the Gadigal, Whadjuk Noongar and Menang Noongar peoples.

What this episode covers

Timothy Andrews has lived with a pig kidney in his body for eight months. That makes him a record breaker — living longer with a gene-edited pig kidney than anyone else in the world so far. In the final episode of Artificial Evolution, he tells us about his journey, his hopes for making it a year with the transplant, and the challenges he's faced along the way. With expanded clinical trials into this 'xenotransplantation' around the corner, researchers and advocacy groups argue a future in which animal organs are used in life-saving transplantation procedures for humans is not far off. So what is the science and history of xenotransplantation? What are the ethical concerns? And what's happening in Australia? You can hear more episodes of Science Friction with journalist Peter de Kruijff about DNA, cloning, genetic modification and gene editing on the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Guests: Timothy Andrews New Hampshire, United States Professor Wayne Hawthorne Professor of Transplantation, Westmead Hospital Professor Dominique Martin Professor of Health Ethics and Professionalism, Deakin University Professor Syd Johnson Professor of Bioethics, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York Credits: Presenter: Peter de Kruijff Producer: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Sound Engineer: Tim Symonds Archives Researcher: Lisa Chidlow This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal, Whadjuk Noongar and Menang Noongar peoples.