Mike Curtis, CEO of eGenesis: Everything's controlled. Like, all the feed is clean, water's clean. As you can see, the staff is clean. We try to maintain a very clean environment here.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta: And I should just point out that I walked into a room, turned on a filter, essentially cleaned the air for five minutes before I could then go shower. That's why my hair is wet. I've washed myself. I put on everything new here, including underwear, socks, shoes. Everything is different. Just to be in this room gives you an idea of just how clean it is in here and how important that is.
It's more than I typically do to prep for the 6operating room, all of it to protect the pigs from us.
I gotta tell you, I did not know what to expect. It's powerful just to be here with these pigs.
This pig has 69 different gene edits, making it among the most 7genetically 8modified 9mammals on the planet. They do all of this with the help of CRISPR, the gene editing tool that allows scientists to 10manipulate the cell's DNA, knocking out or adding in genes, in this case, to make a pig's organs more 11compatible with the human 12recipient.
Mike Curtis: We've selected the Yucatan mini pig because, fully grown, they're about 70 kilos, 150 pounds, so their organs are correctly sized for human recipients.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta: In January of 2022, for the first time in history, a team at the University of Maryland Medical Center transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a living human being. It was allowed by the FDA's 13compassionate use pathway for 14experimental treatments, something used when a patient has no other options left.
Mike Curtis: A patient 15imminently facing death. Why wouldn't you try?
Dr. Sanjay Gupta: But how far are we still to this becoming a reality?
Mike Curtis: I think for the right patient, we're going to see it in the next couple of years.
