Alabama Woman Sets Record as Longest-Living Recipient of Pig Organ Transplant
Towana Looney, an Alabama woman, has made medical history by becoming the longest-living recipient of a pig organ transplant.as of Saturday, she has been thriving with her new kidney for 61 days and counting, marking a meaningful milestone in the field of xenotransplantation.
“I’m superwoman,” Looney told the Associated Press, laughing as she described outpacing her family members on long walks around New York City during her recovery. “It’s a new take on life.”
Looney’s vibrant recovery is a beacon of hope in the ongoing quest to make animal-to-human transplants a reality. She is one of only five Americans to have received experimental transplants of gene-edited pig organs—two hearts and two kidneys—and the first to surpass the two-month mark.
Dr. Robert Montgomery of NYU Langone Health, who led looney’s transplant, expressed his amazement at her progress. “if you saw her on the street, you would have no idea that she’s the only person in the world walking around with a pig organ inside them that’s functioning,” he said. Montgomery described her kidney function as “absolutely normal” and expressed optimism about her continued recovery.Scientists are genetically altering pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans, addressing a critical shortage of transplantable human organs.With over 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant waiting list—most in need of kidneys—and thousands dying each year while waiting, the potential of xenotransplantation could be life-saving.
So far, pig organ transplants have been limited to “compassionate use” cases, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for patients with no other options. Hospitals involved in these groundbreaking procedures are sharing data to prepare for the world’s first formal studies of xenotransplantation, expected to begin later this year.
Looney’s kidney was supplied by United Therapeutics, a company at the forefront of this innovative research. Her success story offers a glimpse into a future where pig organs could become a viable solution to the organ shortage crisis.
Key Milestones in Pig Organ Transplants
| Recipient | organ transplanted | Duration of Function |
|———————-|————————|————————–|
| Towana Looney | Kidney | 61+ days (ongoing) |
| Previous Recipients | 2 Hearts, 2 Kidneys | Less than 2 months |
Looney’s journey is far from over. Doctors hope she can return to her home in Gadsden, Alabama, in about a month, continuing her recovery outside of New York.“We’re quite optimistic that this is going to continue to work and work well for, you know, a significant period of time,” Montgomery said.
Her story is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the potential of science to transform lives. As researchers continue to refine the process of xenotransplantation, Looney’s success offers hope to thousands awaiting life-saving transplants.
Groundbreaking Pig Kidney Transplant Offers Hope for Future of Xenotransplantation
In a medical breakthrough that could revolutionize organ transplantation, Lisa Looney, a 53-year-old woman from New York, has become the first living recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney.The procedure, performed by Dr. Robert Montgomery and his team at NYU Langone Health, marks a significant milestone in the field of xenotransplantation—the transplantation of organs from one species to another.
Looney’s journey to this groundbreaking surgery began decades ago. In 1999,she donated a kidney to her mother,a selfless act that later led to unforeseen complications. Pregnancy-related high blood pressure damaged her remaining kidney, eventually causing it to fail. Despite spending eight years on dialysis, Looney’s chances of receiving a human kidney were slim due to her body’s abnormally high levels of antibodies, which would likely reject a donor organ.
“We had to think outside the box,” said Dr.Montgomery, who has been at the forefront of xenotransplantation research.Looney’s case presented a unique opportunity to test the viability of pig kidneys in a living patient with a highly sensitized immune system.
A Leap Forward in Medical Science
The surgery,performed on November 25,was a resounding success. Looney was discharged just 11 days later, and her recovery has been closely monitored through blood tests and other measurements. About three weeks post-transplant, doctors detected subtle signs of rejection—a critical moment that was swiftly addressed thanks to insights gained from a 2023 experiment where a pig kidney functioned for 61 days inside a deceased man whose body was donated for research.“We’ve learned so much from each case,” said Dr. Tatsuo Kawai of Massachusetts General Hospital, who led the world’s first pig kidney transplant last year. “Looney’s progress will help inform future attempts.”
Looney’s experience has also provided valuable data for researchers, including those at eGenesis, a company developing genetically modified pigs for organ transplantation. Her case is particularly significant because she was far healthier than previous patients,offering a clearer picture of how pig kidneys might perform in a broader population.
A New Role as an Ambassador
Since her surgery, Looney has embraced a new role as an advocate for xenotransplantation. She has been inundated with messages from people on social media, many of whom are desperate for transplants and curious about the potential of pig kidneys.
“I love talking to people, I love helping people,” Looney said. “I want to be, like, some educational piece for scientists to help others.”
One individual, she shared, was considering a xenotransplant at another hospital but was too scared to proceed. Instead of persuading him, Looney encouraged him to rely on his faith. “I didn’t want to persuade him whether to do or not to do it,” she said. “I asked if he was religious and urged him to prayer,to ‘go off your faith,what your heart tells you.’”
the road Ahead
While Looney’s new kidney is functioning well, the long-term success of xenotransplantation remains uncertain. “There’s no way to predict how long Looney’s new kidney will work,” Dr. Montgomery acknowledged. “If it were to fail, she could receive dialysis again.”
The medical team is cautiously optimistic but emphasizes the need for continued vigilance. “The truth is we don’t really know what the next hurdles are because this is the first time we’ve gotten this far,” Montgomery said. “We’ll have to continue to really keep a close eye on her.”
A Legacy of Hope
Looney’s story has also brought comfort to the family of the deceased man whose body was used in the 2023 experiment. Mary Miller-Duffy, whose brother’s body was donated for research, met Looney recently and expressed her gratitude. “It feels really good to know that the decision I made for NYU to use my brother was the right decision and it’s helping people,” she said.
As the medical community continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, Looney’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for the thousands of patients awaiting life-saving transplants.
| Key Points | Details |
|————————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Patient | Lisa Looney, 53, first living recipient of a pig kidney |
| Surgery Date | November 25, 2023 |
| hospital | NYU langone Health |
| Lead Surgeon | Dr. robert Montgomery |
| Previous Milestone | 2023 experiment with a deceased man’s body |
| Current status | No signs of rejection; closely monitored |
| Future Prospects | Potential for broader trials; long-term viability still unknown |
Looney’s story is not just a medical triumph but a testament to the power of innovation, compassion, and the human spirit. As researchers continue to refine the science of xenotransplantation, the dream of ending the organ shortage crisis may finally be within reach.Integrating the Facebook SDK for JavaScript into web projects has become a cornerstone for developers aiming to enhance user engagement and streamline social media functionalities. This article delves into the essentials of setting up the SDK,its initialization,and best practices to avoid common pitfalls.
Getting Started with Facebook SDK JS
To begin integrating the Facebook SDK for JavaScript, developers must first include the SDK script in their web projects. The script is loaded asynchronously to ensure it doesn’t block other page elements. Here’s a basic example of how to initialize the SDK:
javascript
window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId : '870613919693099',
xfbml : true,
version : 'v2.9'
});
};
(function(d, s, id){
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js";
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
This code snippet initializes the SDK with a specific appId, enabling features like Facebook Login and Share dialogs. For more detailed guidance, developers can refer to the official Facebook SDK examples [[2]].
Best Practices and Common Pitfalls
When integrating the Facebook SDK JS, adhering to best practices is crucial. Developers should ensure the SDK is loaded asynchronously to prevent performance bottlenecks. Additionally, keeping the SDK version updated is essential to leverage the latest features and security patches. For a complete list of best practices, the Dev Hunt blog [[1]] offers valuable insights.
Advanced Implementation
For those looking to customize their implementation, the Facebook SDK for JavaScript provides advanced setup options. Developers can explore features like triggering a Share dialog or implementing Facebook Login for seamless user authentication. The Meta for Developers [[2]]site is an excellent resource for advanced examples and tutorials.
Table: Key Steps for Facebook SDK Integration
| Step | Description |
|——|————-|
| 1 | Include the SDK script asynchronously. |
| 2 | Initialize the SDK with your appId. |
| 3 | Implement desired features like Facebook Login or Share dialogs. |
| 4 | Follow best practices to avoid common pitfalls. |
conclusion
Integrating the Facebook SDK for JavaScript can significantly enhance your web project’s functionality. By following the outlined steps and best practices,developers can ensure a smooth and efficient implementation. For further reading, explore the Dev Hunt blog [[1]]and the Meta for Developers [[2]] site.