Gene editing to remove viruses brings transplant organs from pigs a step closer

Study shows gene editing can remove porcine endogenous retroviruses from DNA, potentially making it safe to grow human transplant organs in pigs

Growing human transplant organs in pigs has become a more realistic prospect after scientists used advanced gene editing to remove threatening viruses from the animals' DNA.

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (Pervs) are permanently embedded in the pig genome but research has shown they can infect human cells, posing a potential hazard.