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niconiconicnic0 t1_j02xjwx wrote

Mainly organ size, but also what kind of antibodies the animal have and if they’re compatible with human immune systems - it has been said the history of transplantation is the history of immune suppression; tackling rejection is the holy grail of transplant medicine and the reason for using these “gal-safe” pigs, which are bred to not have a sugar on the organ cell humans react to.

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Sataalee OP t1_j05erft wrote

This is actually pretty interesting! Medicine and Biology aren’t in any way connected with my field, so learning that the sugars on the cells is what causes people to react is fascinating. Thank you!

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CrateDane t1_j03ms3l wrote

Also some potential alternatives, like chimpanzees, are ruled out for ethical and practical reasons.

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