<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/" -->

---
title: Why Pig Organs for Human Transplants May be Possible
description: Using the genome editing technology CRISPR, researchers have developed piglets they think one day could harbor human organs.
canonical: https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/
author: Alexandra Sifferlin
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2017-08-10T19:25:32.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-10-08T09:28:17.766Z
article:section: Health
og:title: Scientists are Closer To Using Pig Organs For Transplants
og:description: Using the genome editing technology CRISPR, researchers have developed piglets they think one day could harbor human organs.
og:url: https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa1843d81eb8d234/6988d941fb4eac2aa389341f/pigs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9
og:image:width: 5138
og:image:height: 2890
og:image:alt: Pig standing looking up, white background
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Scientists are Closer To Using Pig Organs For Transplants
twitter:description: Using the genome editing technology CRISPR, researchers have developed piglets they think one day could harbor human organs.
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa1843d81eb8d234/6988d941fb4eac2aa389341f/pigs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9
---

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa1843d81eb8d234/6988d941fb4eac2aa389341f/pigs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="d241f890-e1ca-4543-a6b2-dcf8e69fdeb1" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: September 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=d241f890-e1ca-4543-a6b2-dcf8e69fdeb1&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) |

Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=d241f890-e1ca-4543-a6b2-dcf8e69fdeb1&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=d241f890-e1ca-4543-a6b2-dcf8e69fdeb1&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=d241f890-e1ca-4543-a6b2-dcf8e69fdeb1&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/dfCFhEXQ.m3u8" -->
## Video: Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants

[Watch (HLS stream): Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/dfCFhEXQ.m3u8) (1:36)

![Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dfCFhEXQ/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2017-08-11. In a scientific first, researchers have created piglets that could possibly one day provide organs for human transplants_


by 

[Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/)


## Alexandra Sifferlin


Aug 10, 2017 7:25 PM UTC

by 

[Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/)


## Alexandra Sifferlin


Aug 10, 2017 7:25 PM UTC

In a scientific first, researchers have created piglets that could possibly one day provide organs for human transplants. Though the science is still early, it’s a big step forward in the quest to use pig organs to help the hundreds of thousands of people every year who await organ transplants.

In a [report published Thursday in the journal _Science_](http://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2017/08/09/science.aan4187), scientists from Harvard University, the biotech company eGenesis and several other institutions were able to use gene editing and cloning to create virus-free piglets that could potentially be used in the future for human organ transplants. As the [New York Times reports](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/10/health/gene-editing-pigs-organ-transplants.html?%5Fr=0), researchers have wanted to explore using pigs as organ sources in the past, but plans were thwarted by the fear that viruses from the pigs, called retroviruses, could infect humans through the transplants.

In the new report, scientists detail how they took pig cells and edited them using the [gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9](http://time.com/4377130/crispr-genome-editing/) to target and hinder their virus-related DNA. They then cloned those edited cells and developed an embryo. Those embryos were implanted into sows and then became piglets.

As [STAT reports](https://www.statnews.com/2017/08/10/crispr-pigs-organ-transplant/), out of 37 piglets, all were born without retroviruses. Not all were brought to term, and some were killed so the scientists could check how their organs were developing, but today, 15 piglets are still alive.

Study author George Church, a geneticist at Harvard and founder of eGenesis, told the Times he thinks that pig-to-human transplants could happen within two years. However, other researchers argue that it could be years before scientists even know if pig organ transplants are safe.

\[[_New York Times_](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/10/health/gene-editing-pigs-organ-transplants.html?%5Fr=0)\]


## Transcript

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ]

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/"},"headline":"Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants","datePublished":"2017-08-10T19:25:32.000Z","dateModified":"2026-10-08T09:28:17.766Z","description":"Using the genome editing technology CRISPR, researchers have developed piglets they think one day could harbor human organs.","url":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/","keywords":["Genetics","crispr","gene editing"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa1843d81eb8d234/6988d941fb4eac2aa389341f/pigs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandra Sifferlin","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/"}],"articleSection":"Health","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltfa1843d81eb8d234/6988d941fb4eac2aa389341f/pigs.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Pig standing looking up, white background","caption":"Pig standing looking up, white background","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/health/","name":"Health"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/genetics/","name":"Genetics"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/","name":"Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Scientists are Getting Closer To Using Pig Organs For Human Transplants","description":"In a scientific first, researchers have created piglets that could possibly one day provide organs for human transplants","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/dfCFhEXQ/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-08-11T16:48:33.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/dfCFhEXQ.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/","duration":"PT1M36S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4896026/pig-organs-humans-crispr-genome-editing/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}]
```