A groundbreaking medical achievement has been reached as an Alabama woman becomes the longest-living person with a functioning pig organ. Towana Looney, 53, has now lived for over two months with a transplanted pig kidney, a milestone that gives hope to thousands waiting for organ transplants.
Looney, full of energy and optimism, described the experience as a “new chance at life.” She is the only person in the world currently living with a working pig kidney, an experimental transplant performed by doctors at NYU Langone Health. While others have undergone similar procedures, none have survived beyond two months—until now.
A Medical Breakthrough in Transplant Surgery
Looney’s kidney function is reportedly “completely normal,” according to Dr. Robert Montgomery, who led the transplant team. The procedure is part of ongoing research into using genetically modified pig organs to address the severe shortage of human donors. Currently, over 100,000 people in the U.S. are on the transplant waiting list, with kidneys being the most in-demand organ. Thousands die each year without receiving a match.
Scientists are working to make pig organs more compatible with human bodies through genetic modifications, and Looney’s success marks a major step forward in this field.
From Donor to Recipient
Looney’s history with kidney transplants is deeply personal. In 1999, she donated a kidney to her mother. Years later, complications from pregnancy led to high blood pressure, ultimately damaging her remaining kidney. After spending eight years on dialysis, she was told she was unlikely to receive a human kidney due to unusually high levels of antibodies, which would likely attack any donated organ.
Faced with limited options, she agreed to participate in this groundbreaking pig kidney transplant. The procedure took place on November 25, and since then, her medical team has closely monitored her recovery.
Overcoming Challenges and Signs of Rejection
At around three weeks post-surgery, doctors noticed early signs that her immune system might begin rejecting the pig organ. However, thanks to prior research involving a pig kidney transplant in a deceased donor, they were able to act quickly. Her team adjusted her treatment, and since then, there have been no further signs of rejection.
Dr. Montgomery expressed confidence in the kidney’s performance, stating, “We’re hopeful that this will continue working well for a significant amount of time.”
Potential to Revolutionize Organ Donation
The success of Looney’s transplant is more than a medical milestone—it could change the future of organ donation. The Food and Drug Administration currently allows pig organ transplants only in special cases, but if Looney’s progress continues, it may open doors for more widespread use of animal organs to save human lives.
Dr. Tatsuo Kawai of Massachusetts General Hospital, who has worked on similar research, called Looney’s case a “valuable learning experience” for the medical community. Her progress will provide critical insight into future transplants and how the body adapts to pig organs over time.
What Comes Next?
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how long Looney’s new kidney will function, her case has already provided key insights. If the organ eventually fails, she can return to dialysis, but for now, doctors are optimistic.
“We don’t know what the next challenges will be,” Montgomery explained. “This is uncharted territory, but we’ll continue monitoring her closely.”
Looney is expected to return home to Alabama soon, marking another step in her extraordinary journey. Her story offers hope to thousands waiting for a transplant and brings researchers one step closer to solving the global organ shortage.
