4 Aug 2023

Scientists investigate giving people pig kidneys

From Morning Report, 6:15 am on 4 August 2023
Counties Manukau DHB says all non-urgent planned care that has been postponed due to Omicron will now be rescheduled as quickly as resources allow.

Photo: Supplied / LDR

Kidney patients are lining up to take part in the latest trial, as doctors and scientists in New Zealand move a step closer to transplanting a pig's organ into a person.

Some people have already waited for 15 years without finding a compatible donor - but Xenotransplantation could be the answer.

After approval from the Health Research Council's Ethics Committee, blood samples will be collected and compared to a special type of swine - to see whether they are compatible for a potentially life saving transplant.

Sally Wenley reports.