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Genome Editing Technology, Crispr Cas-9, Provides A Potential Future For Xenotransplantation: Can Pigs Become Our New Organ Donors?, Shelby Smith, Bs, Emanual Rubin, Md

Department of Pathology Honors Program Student Research Symposium

Organ shortage has been a significant issue in United States for many decades. There were over 116,000 people on the transplant waiting list as of August 2017, with a new person added every 10 minutes. Animals have been considered as potential organ donors for humans, with the pig being the most ideal candidate because of its excellent breeding profile, low maintenance costs, large litters, rapid growth and organ similarity. A notable challenge that comes with porcine organs are endogenous retroviruses that establish themselves in the DNA of offspring in utero, thereby allowing for no time to prevent infection and integration. …