Advance Reported in Cloning Pigs to Provide Organs for Transplant

Researchers reported that they have cloned piglets lacking both copies of the gene that prompts the human immune system to reject pig tissue -- a step toward development of herds of pigs could supply organs for transplant to humans.

PPL Therapeutics said four healthy piglets with both copies of the GGTA1 gene "knocked out" were born July 25 at the company's facility in Blacksburg, VA,

The GGTA1 gene makes a sugar called alpha-1-galactose, which the human immune system attacks. No one knows yet whether pigs can survive without alpha-1-galactose, but if they can, they could supply organs for transplant to humans.

Earlier this year, PPL Therapeutics and competitor Immerge BioTherapeutics both said they had created pigs that lacked one of the two copies of the critical gene (see earlier Transplant Week story).

"The advance brings us closer to the promise of a potential solution to the worldwide shortage of organs and cells for transplantation," said David Ayares, vice president of research at PPL Therapeutics Inc.