Every day, folks pass away that are in need of an organ transplant.  In fact, the list of those waiting is tens of thousands, including many right here in Montana. With that being said, it made what I read yesterday even more interesting.

Like many of you, I have different apps downloaded on my phone and these apps will send me alerts throughout the day.  Yesterday, one really caught my eye. "Man receives pig heart and is continuing to recover".

Wait, did I read that right?  A pig heart?

Yep, the heart of an actual pig.  The surgery, which is the first of its kind, took the heart of a genetically modified pig and placed it into a 57-year-old David Bennett, a Maryland man that has terminal heart disease.

According to the Washington Post, doctors decided that Bennett wasn't eligible for a human heart due to his medical records, so according to Bennett "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live. I know it's a shot in the dark, but it's my last choice"

Heart abstract shape in the hand concept design.
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Pig's skin and heart valves are similar to humans, which makes for a potential breakthrough for transplants according to doctors and researchers. The pig, which was born and genetically modified for the purpose of this surgery gives hope to medical professionals when it comes to the future.

Currently, there are over 100,000 people on the transplant list in the United States, including close to 200 here in Montana. 17 people die every day waiting for a transplant.

Is this something that you would consider if you or a loved one were in need of a transplant? Do you think it's unethical, or something that should be explored and advanced?

Credit: The Washington Post, NBCMontana.com

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