One of the major obstacles of transplants or grafts is whether the host will reject it. That obstacle seems to have been overcome by genetically-modified pigs that are able to host transplant cells without rejection. This break through is because of stem cells. Stem cells are precusor cells that divide and produce cells that undergo differentiation. These cells are what give rise to any of the specialized cells found in an organism.

Researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia, have introduced human stem cells into pigs. These genetically-modified pigs were able to accept the transplant because they were created with immune systems that were able to accept any transplant or graft. Thus, they showed no signs of rejection. This is an important achievement for science because stem cell research can now be done without the fear of rejection.

This is also a great achievement because the anatomy of pigs are very closely related to human anatomy; thus, the results of experiments performed on these genetically modified pigs will relate closely to what would be achieved in humans. This kind of feat will help increase stem cell research and more money will be alloted towards the advancements of this kind of research. Overall, this is a great accomplishment because it will create treatment options for many human diseases that can be treated with the help of stem cells.

Sources:
1) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140604105525.htm

2) Anatomy and Physiology class lecture text