you may have recently seen headlines about Pig organ transplants they’re not organs from just any Pig they’re genetically modified ones without Gene edits the human body would immediately reject these organs moments after they’re transplanted each surgeon who’s researching xenotransplants has tried different modifications hoping to find the best fit we’re at the Model T stage of the genetically altered organs surgeons at different centers have used pig hearts and kidneys with ten gen edits 69 edits even just one edit pairing that with a pig thymus gland which trains the immune system but with only five attempted impatients so far surgeons are still working out which combination of edits might work best every one of these that’s done and done thoughtfully and successfully moves the needle they hope that clinical trials are just around the corner so this long awaited technology can be rigorously tested