In 1997, an Indian heart surgeon gained notoriety after he transplanted a pig's heart into a human. The patient died a week later due to complications from infections. However, the incident did bring back focus on a lesser-known field of organ transplantation, in this case from animals to humans. In medical terms, this is referred to as xenotransplantation.
As per the official World Health Organization definition, xenotransplantation refers to: Transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs of animal origin into humans. It also includes transplantation of human body fluid or cells that have had contact with live non-human cells or tissues. Imagine the prospect: a future where human organ failure is no longer a dreaded problem. Where a ready, "on-demand" supply of organs obtained from animals is available to be transplanted into people with kidney failure, heart failure, liver…
