Alabama Woman Makes History, Thrives After Pig Organ Transplant

In a groundbreaking development, Alabama resident Towana Looney has defied expectations after a recent medical procedure.

This woman made history by living for two months with a genetically altered pig organ, marking a major milestone in animal-to-human transplant experiments.

Get our free mobile app

Looney, who recently spoke to The Associated Press, is thriving in her recovery, even outpacing family members during long walks around New York City. "I'm superwoman," she joked according to The Independent, reflecting on her renewed energy and outlook on life.

Her success is a promising sign for researchers working to make animal organs a viable solution to the severe shortage of human transplant organs. Looney’s transplant, which was led by Dr. Robert Montgomery at NYU Langone Health, is part of a series of highly experimental surgeries involving gene-edited pig organs. To date, only four Americans have undergone these transplants—two hearts and two kidneys—yet none have survived beyond two months.

Looney's progress offers hope to the more than 100,000 people on the U.S. transplant waiting list, many of whom need kidneys. As scientists continue to modify pigs' organs to resemble human tissue, Looney’s story is a beacon of progress in the race to address this critical shortage.