The Role of a Family’s Organ Donation in Advancing Xenotransplantation Research

Mary Miller-Duffy found herself grappling with grief and a daunting decision when her brother, Maurice “Mo” Miller, unexpectedly collapsed and was subsequently declared brain-dead. Ultimately, she chose to donate her brother’s body for scientific research, thus marking the beginning of its role in an ambitious project at NYU Langone Health aimed at alleviating the nation’s critical organ shortage through xenotransplantation.

“Despite the tragic and abrupt loss of my brother, something meaningful has emerged from it,” Miller-Duffy noted, reflecting on her arduous choice but taking pride in her brother’s final contribution to humanity.

On July 14, surgeons replaced Miller’s kidneys with one taken from a genetically modified pig. The deceased man’s postoperative care was conducted with the same meticulous attention typically reserved for living patients, with medical professionals eagerly tracking each day’s progress. Astonishingly, after a month, the transplanted pig kidney was fully functioning, marking a significant milestone in the duration a pig kidney has ever functioned within a human body.

Through exclusive access, The Big Big News has delved into the experimental challenges involved in using animal organs in human transplants, a medical frontier that could potentially change the landscape of organ transplantation.

In the United States, the chances of receiving an organ transplant remain frustratingly low. Over 100,000 people are currently on the national organ transplant waitlist, with kidneys being the most in-demand. Many die awaiting a transplant, and countless others aren’t even eligible to be added to the list. Dr. Robert Montgomery, head of NYU Langone’s transplant institute, believes that animal organs can be the solution to filling this void.

After years of unsuccessful endeavors, renewed interest in xenotransplantation is now being fueled by genetically modified pigs with more human-compatible organs. One such experiment last year saw surgeons at the University of Maryland extend the life of a dying man by two months using a pig heart.

Before using these organs in living patients, Montgomery is cautiously honing the technique in deceased bodies to evade immediate organ rejection, a hurdle that plagued earlier attempts. The focus is on understanding the more gradual forms of rejection that often occur over extended periods.

Miller-Duffy, who has other family members suffering from kidney-related diseases, found resonance in the research aims. Convinced by Dr. Montgomery’s compassionate explanation of the scientific process, she and her wife, Sue Duffy, consented to the study.

The ongoing experiment is a practice run for potential implementation in living patients. The surgical process, according to fellow surgeons at NYU, doesn’t diverge dramatically from standard organ transplantation. However, postoperative care and testing are far more rigorous than would be possible with living subjects. The transplanted kidney is subjected to frequent biopsies, continuous blood monitoring, and exhaustive scrutiny for any indicators of rejection.

As part of the research, biopsied samples are sent to collaborators nationally and internationally. “The intensity of our work hardly allows for sleep, but each week brings new optimism about the extent to which we can push the boundaries,” remarked Elaina Weldon, a nurse practitioner overseeing the research.

Miller-Duffy has also been receiving regular updates and even postponed her brother’s memorial service for the sake of extending the experiment, underlining the growing collective optimism about xenotransplantation research.

The pioneering work has influenced attitudes toward organ donation, as noted by Sue Duffy. “Initially, I was entirely opposed to donating my organs. Now, I am firmly in favor,” she said.

The research in xenotransplantation has the support of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group, although the AP retains full editorial responsibility for the content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about xenotransplantation

More about xenotransplantation

• Xenotransplantation: An Overview
• Organ Transplant Waiting List Statistics
• NYU Langone Health Transplant Institute
• Genetic Modification in Organ Transplantation
• Ethical Considerations in Organ Donation
• FDA Guidelines for Xenotransplantation
• Advancements in Medical Research
• Revivicor’s Role in Xenotransplantation