Can Animal Organs Save Human Lives and What Does That Ask of the Animals? With Dr. Josh Mezrich

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with transplant surgeon and author Dr. Josh Mezrich to talk about xenotransplantation—the use of animal organs, primarily from pigs, to try to address the massive shortage of human donor organs.More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a transplant. For many, time runs out. Xenotransplantation offers a possible path forward, but it’s not a simple one.This conversation walks through both sides.We talk about the history—from early, controversial experiments using primates to today’s gene-edited pig organs—and what’s actually happening right now in human patients. But we also spend time on the part that often gets pushed aside: the ethical questions.What are we asking of these animals?How are they treated in the process?And how do we weigh that against the possibility of saving human lives?We discuss:• The evolution of xenotransplantation and key scientific breakthroughs• Real-world cases of patients receiving pig organs• The role of CRISPR and genetically engineered pigs• Ethical concerns around animal welfare and the use of nonhuman primates in research• Whether focusing on animal organs shifts attention away from improving human organ donation systems• The risks, including cross-species disease transmissionDr. Mezrich also shares insights from his new book Every Living Creature, which explores both the promise and the discomfort of this field.Dr. Mezrich is a transplant surgeon and Professor at the University of Wisconsin, where he holds the Mark A. Fischer Chair in Transplantation and serves as Surgical Director of the kidney transplant program. His clinical and research work focuses on liver and kidney transplantation, including how factors like the microbiome and biomarkers influence organ quality. He is also the author of How Death Becomes Life and his latest book, Every Living Creature, which explores the science and ethics of xenotransplantation. Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener SupportYou can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Follow Public Health is WeirdOr Facebook here.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her Newsletter here! (the bits not posted on socia media)Support the show