Modifying animals into organ donors: Will animals be farmed for organs in the future?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• July 27, 2022

Insight summary

Transplanting organs from genetically modified animals into humans is emerging as a solution to the organ shortage crisis, with successful trials already showing promise. However, this approach raises concerns about safety, ethics, and the potential for disease transmission, requiring strict regulations and ethical considerations. These developments are driving advancements in medical technology, prompting debates on ethical practices, and reshaping the healthcare and biotechnology industries.

Modifying animals for organs context

The lack of available organs causes around 17 deaths daily in the US alone. To address this challenge, successful transplants of organs from genetically modified animals into humans are being considered as a solution to the problem.  Animals have long been researched as potential organ donors for human patients suffering from various organ-related health issues. However, the human immune system typically rejects the implantation of animal tissues because they contain a sugar called alpha-gal. 

Fortunately, these early roadblocks are being overcome. Successful experiments have been conducted using Gal Safe pigs that have more than ten genetic modifications each, all designed to circumvent the human immune system. Alternatively, scientists in Israel are working to increase the likelihood of humans accepting the organs by replacing the blood cells of pig organs with placenta-derived alternatives. These efforts, along with others, bore fruit in September 2021 at the NYU Langone Health medical center where a pig’s kidney was successfully transplanted into a human for 54 hours. 

Animal organ researchers have also noted that just because we can transplant animal organs to humans does not mean we should. Certain organizations like Animal Free Research have further pointed out alternative methods for sourcing additional organs like using donated human tissues, medical 3D printers, and cell cultures. They maintain that investing in alternatives maintains the humanity of science while ensuring patients do not get placed at risk.  

Disruptive impact 

While early successes in animal-to-human transplants indicate potential, scaling up these operations introduces complexities, including the risk of transmitting animal diseases to humans. These scientific hurdles must be carefully navigated to ensure the safety and efficacy of the organs transplanted. Success in this field could lead to more readily available organs, potentially at lower costs, thereby significantly reducing global mortality rates associated with organ failure.

As this technology advances, governments and healthcare organizations will face increasing pressure to enforce stringent regulations on laboratories that raise these genetically modified animals. This oversight is crucial to minimize the risk of fraud and poor quality control, which could have dire consequences for organ recipients. Ensuring that these organs are safe and meet the highest quality standards is essential for maintaining public trust in this emerging field of medicine.

There is likely to be heightened scrutiny from animal welfare organizations, prompting a push for research into alternative methods of organ growth, such as lab-grown organs using stem cells. This public pressure could accelerate the development of such alternatives, potentially leading to more ethical and sustainable solutions for organ shortages. The dialogue between scientific advancement and ethical considerations may shape the future of organ donation.

Implications of transplanting organs from animals to humans

Wider implications of widescale animal organ harvesting for human organ recipients may include:

• Dramatic reductions in mortality rates due to increased availability of organs, leading to longer life expectancies and changing population demographics.
• Lower national healthcare spending as a result of reduced reliance on long-term patient care, leading to potential reallocation of funds towards other public health initiatives.
• Rapid advancements in producing a range of other organ replacements, like hearts and lungs, fostering a surge in specialized medical research and development sectors.
• Advancements in interspecies organ transplants designed to protect endangered species, contributing to novel conservation strategies and biodiversity preservation efforts.
• Growing debates among various religious denominations about the ethical implications of accepting animal organs, influencing shifts in doctrinal positions and interfaith dialogues.
• Development of new business models in biotechnology firms, focusing on organ growth and transplantation, leading to shifts in investment and funding priorities in the healthcare sector.
• Governments establishing regulations for the ethical treatment of genetically modified animals, impacting policies on animal rights and genetic modification.
• Increased public and private sector investment in alternative organ-growing methods, such as lab-grown organs, driving advancements in regenerative medicine.
• Enhanced international collaboration in medical research and ethical guidelines, necessitated by the global nature of organ transplantation and genetic engineering.
• Potential shifts in labor market demands, with increased need for skilled professionals in biotechnology, genetic engineering, and transplant medicine, altering educational and career pathways.

Questions to consider

• The livestock industry is considered cruel by many. Do you think growing the animals for organs as well as meat would add to the meaning of farm animal lives, or does this objectify them further?
• Do you think people would display social bias in accepting organs grown inside animals?