| Title: |
From pigs to people: what is it like to perform a pig-to-human kidney xenotransplant? |
| Authors: |
Rodger, Daniel; Smith, Jonathan A. |
| Publisher Information: |
BMJ |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Birkbeck University of London: BIROn - Birkbeck Institutional Research Online |
| Subject Terms: |
School of Psychological Sciences |
| Description: |
Since 2022, genetically modified pig organs have been transplanted into both deceased and living human subjects, and first-in-human clinical trials began in 2025. Yet, little is known about the experience of performing such procedures. The first kidney xenotransplant studies involved human brain-dead recipients, with graft function ranging from hours to months. Interviews were conducted with one of the first surgeons with experience in performing a pig-to-human kidney xenotransplant and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Following analysis, four PETs were identified: Desiring a more equitable patient future; Being changed by bonding with the family; Crossing a boundary without feeling the difference and Everything changed when the pig kidney turned pink. As the first exploration of a surgeon’s lived experience of xenotransplantation, the study highlights how motivations, uncertainties and ethical commitments influence engagement with emerging biotechnologies. While uncertainties remain, the findings provide insight into how a surgeon interprets and navigates the conceptual and emotional terrain of crossing into first-in-human xenotransplantation |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text |
| Language: |
English |
| ISSN: |
3049-8600 |
| Relation: |
https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/56935/1/26%20rodger%20JME.pdf; Rodger, Daniel and Smith, Jonathan A. (2026) From pigs to people: what is it like to perform a pig-to-human kidney xenotransplant? JME Practical Bioethics 2 (1), ISSN 3049-8600. |
| DOI: |
10.1136/jmepb-2025-000065 |
| Availability: |
https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/56935/; https://eprints.bbk.ac.uk/id/eprint/56935/1/26%20rodger%20JME.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1136/jmepb-2025-000065 |
| Rights: |
cc_by_nc_4 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.1DE610EE |
| Database: |
BASE |