Have humans been transplanted with animal cells, tissue or organs?
Yes. Outside of Australia, over 200 people have been exposed to pig cells and tissues through animal-to-human transplantation. Early attempts at animal-to-human transplantation were not very successful. Over the last few decades, researchers have gained a better understanding of the science and outcomes have improved significantly. In clinical trials (performed outside Australia) researchers have transplanted pig nerve cells into consenting patients for the treatment of Parkinsons disease and Huntingtons disease, and used pig livers to filter blood while patients await a human liver transplant.
