Science & technology | Xenotransplantation

The science behind the first successful pig-to-human heart transplant

It may lead to a new approach to organ transplantation

Lifesaver

ON JANUARY 7TH David Bennett became the first person to have a heart transplanted successfully into him from a pig. In press material issued three days after the operation, the University of Maryland confirmed Mr Bennett was doing well, and was capable of breathing on his own. While he continues to rely on artificial support to pump blood around his body, the team behind the surgery, led by Bartley Griffith, plan gradually to reduce its use.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Happy news”

Beware the bossy state

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