Chinese surgeons have transplanted a genetically modified pig lung into a human for the first time, demonstrating that the organ could survive and function in the body for nine days. The single-lung xenotransplant, carried out on 15 May 2024 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, was reported on 25 August 2025 in the journal Nature Medicine. The left lung came from a Bama miniature pig engineered with six CRISPR edits—three deletions to remove immunogenic sugars and three human genes to temper inflammation and clotting. Implanted in a 39-year-old man who had been declared brain-dead, the graft avoided hyper-acute rejection and maintained oxygen exchange, although imaging showed fluid build-up within 24 hours and antibody-mediated damage by day three. Researchers ended monitoring on day nine at the family’s request. Investigators say the study confirms the technical feasibility of lung xenotransplantation but underscores lingering hurdles, including antibody attack, infection risk and the need for heavy immunosuppression. External experts welcomed the milestone while stressing that additional gene edits, refined drug regimens and bilateral transplants in future brain-dead recipients will be required before clinical trials in living patients can be contemplated. The advance comes amid a global shortage of donor organs: only 8,236 lung transplants were performed worldwide last year, leaving tens of thousands on waiting lists. If remaining scientific and regulatory barriers are overcome, gene-edited pig organs could eventually provide an alternative supply for patients who now die waiting.