What is Xenotransplantation? Experts say process could increase life expectancy in humans

In January, 57-year-old David Bennett Sr. was on his deathbed when doctors from University of Maryland Medical Centre implanted a genetically modified pig heart. surgery was considered successful and in weeks following transplant, Bennett was spending time with his family and participating in physical rapy for strength building.

However, on March 8, he passed away. While he lost his battle with death, doctors across world hailed organ transplantation as a path breaker.

What is Xenotransplantation?

US Federal Drugs Association (FDA) describes Xenotransplantation as any procedure that involves transplantation, implantation or infusion of live cells, tissues, and organs from a non-human animal source or organs that have h ex-vivo contact with live non-human animal cells, tissues or organs.

According to American federal agency, main reason behind xenotransplantation is fact that demand of human organ overhauls its supply. However, it is a risky process.  human body is bound to reject any foreign organ, tissue or cell and refore, acceptability is biggest challenge in process.

What is history?

history of xenotransplantation dates back to 17th century. Back in 1667, French doctor Jean-Baptiste Denys tapped veins of farm animals to perform human blood transfusions. In India, pioneering surgery was performed in year 1997 when Dhaniram Baruah transplanted a pig heart in a human body.

If successful, xenotransplantation can yield numerous benefits for mankind starting from reduction in organ tre to bolstering average life span of entire species. Speaking to Republic Media Network, Senior Pulmonologist Dr Parthiv Sanghvi, said that process could increase  longevity of human life to 80 or 90 years.

“During time of India’s independence, average life expectancy of human life was 35 years. Today it is 69 years. It has only been possible due to vances in medicine. If Xenotransplantation becomes reality, n human life expectancy in India could be increased to 80-90 years,” Dr Sanghvi said.

However, Dr Sanghvi also talked about feasibility and challenges of procedure. “You have to keep in mind, size of organ. You cannot fit heart of an elephant into a human body.”

Anor important parameter that he talked about is genetic similarity. “Pigs have most similar genetic makeup to humans,that is why y are most preferred species for medical experiments and procedures”, he revealed.

Furrmore, he spoke about ethics. “How are you going to bring scientific vancement without animal experimentations?” he questioned, referring to complaints filed by animals rights organisation like PETA. According to surgeon, people are hypocrites. y consume tons of animal meat, but object to animal experimentation.

“Xenotransplantation is bound to fail, given we do not have apt anti-rejection treatments available. se treatments are cornerstone of surgery. In this regard, re is a lot of R&D going in west,” Dr Sanghvi emphasised, ding that “xenotransplantation needs to be cultured and nurtured.”

Meanwhile, Dr Manoj Goel, Director of Pulmonology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute opined that one of main reasons behind need to vance xenotransplantation is need for human organs, “We need more organs. list of recipients is very long”, he said. Agreeing with Dr Sanghvi, he said that human body is resistant to new things. “ challenge is to develop treatments that makes it accept a foreign organ.”

“ US case is quite encouraging. sheer fact that a pig’s heart could sustain that pressure gives a glimmer of hope to humankind,” Dr Goel said.  

While he said that a timeline could not be set, pulmonologist agreed that a lot of work is being done in field. Dr Goel also emphasised that process h a bright future in India, given it gets equate support from government and legal system.

"We are at par with west in medical vances. If Xenotransplant becomes a standard care in west, in no time it India will catch up. However, I don’t think India is going to give something new," he said.

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