Alabama woman who is the only person in the world with a functioning pig organ is thriving after a record 2 months

Towana Looney, an Alabama woman, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant, thriving with her new kidney for 61 days. With her health improving, she humorously describes herself as "superwoman," enjoying energetic walks through New York City during her recovery. This success is significant in the effort to establish animal-to-human organ transplants, as Looney is the fifth American to receive a gene-edited pig organ.

Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led her transplant at NYU Langone Health, reports that Looney’s kidney function is "absolutely normal." As she temporarily resides in New York for follow-up checkups, doctors are optimistic about her potential to return to Gadsden, Alabama, within a month. The progress seen in Looney is encouraging for the medical community, which is keen to find solutions for the considerable shortage of human organs available for transplant.

Researchers are genetically modifying pigs to create organs that are more compatible with humans, aiming to address the dire situation where over 100,000 people are awaiting transplants in the U.S. Looney’s case, along with others, falls under "compassionate use," a category of experimental treatments permitted by the FDA for patients with no other options. Meanwhile, the first formal studies of xenotransplantation are expected to commence soon, with United Therapeutics seeking FDA approval for a trial following the promising outcomes from Looney's case.

Looney’s journey began after she donated a kidney to her mother in 1999. Later, due to pregnancy complications, her remaining kidney failed after eight years of dialysis because she developed high antibody levels that made finding a suitable donor nearly impossible. Choosing to participate in the pig organ experiment was a bold step, especially given her sensitized immune system that complicated the transplant process.

Now, as she recovers, Looney is embracing her role as an advocate for those considering similar transplants. She has been engaging with individuals via social media, offering support and encouragement during their long wait for organ transplants. Although the future remains uncertain regarding her new kidney’s longevity, Montgomery emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring as they learn from this unprecedented experience.