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Man gets first ever pig-heart transplant

Pig-heart Transplant - Level 0

Doctors put a pig's heart into a man for the first time. The man is 57. He was very ill. The pig's heart was the only way he could stay alive. He is now doing well. He said: "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live." Scientists changed the pig's genes so its heart would work in a human.

The transplant took seven hours. There could be more transplants like this in the future. It could mean more organs are available. The man's doctor said animal organs give people an important choice in the future. The man hopes he will live longer. He said: "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."

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Pig-heart Transplant - Level 1

Doctors transplanted a pig's heart into a man for the first time. The man is 57 and was very ill. The pig's heart was his only chance of staying alive. He is doing well after his operation. He spoke to doctors before the operation. He said: "It was either die or do this transplant. I want to live." The pig's heart came from a genetically-modified pig. Scientists changed the pig's genes so it would work in a human.

The transplant took seven hours. Scientists have been researching animal organ transplants for many years. There could be more transplants in the future. It could bring the world, "one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis". The man's doctor said animal organs give people, "an important new option…in the future." The man hopes his transplant will let him live longer. He said: "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."

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Pig-heart Transplant - Level 2

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Doctors have transplanted a pig's heart into a man for the very first time. Doctors in the USA say David Bennett, 57, is doing well after his operation. Mr Bennett was very ill. Giving him the pig's heart was his only chance of staying alive. Bennett spoke to doctors the day before the operation. He said: "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." The pig's heart came from a genetically-modified pig. Scientists changed the pig's genes so its heart would be able to function in a human.

The transplant took seven hours. Doctors needed permission from U.S. authorities for the surgery. Scientists have been researching pig-organ transplants for many years. Mr Bennett's transplant could mean more transplants in the future. It could bring the world, "one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis". His doctor said: "We are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future." Mr Bennett hopes his transplant will let him live longer. He said: "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."

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Pig-heart Transplant - Level 3

Doctors in the USA have transplanted a pig's heart into a man. It is the first time this has happened. The doctors are from the University of Maryland Medical Center. They say David Bennett, 57, is doing well after his operation. Mr Bennett was very ill. The doctors said giving him the pig's heart was the only chance of keeping him alive. Bennett spoke to doctors the day before the operation. He said: "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." The pig's heart came from a genetically-modified pig. Scientists changed the genes of the pig so its heart would be more suitable for a transplant into a human.

The transplant operation took seven hours. Doctors received special permission from U.S. authorities for the experimental surgery. Without it, Mr Bennett would have died. Scientists have been researching pig-organ transplants for years. They believe Mr Bennett's transplant means more transplants could take place in the future. They said this could bring the world, "one step closer to solving the organ shortage crisis". Surgeon Dr Bartley Griffith said: "We are also optimistic that this first-in-the-world surgery will provide an important new option for patients in the future." Mr Bennett hopes his transplant will allow him to live longer. He said: "I look forward to getting out of bed after I recover."

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