One of those pigs made medical history recently when it was flown to Boston for a Transplant procedure where it donated its life and kidney to Richard "Rick" Slayman of Weymouth, Massachusetts.

It was the first time a genetically modified pig kidney was transplanted into a person.

It was also the first time someone survived with that organ from another species.

Mr. Slayman is due to be released from the hospital within a couple of days. After a four-hour surgery he managed to walk 20 laps around the hospital's transplant unit.

Researchers have been working for decades trying to find a way to use pig organs as replacements for Human ones. 

Pig organs make sense for transplant because they are roughly the right size for people, are relatively similar biologically, and are already being bred by the billions for food, so sacrificing them for the organs raises fewer ethical concerns that using primates would.

Now that researchers have overcome one of the most formidable barriers to transplantation - rejection - it could be on its way to FDA approval someday for routine use.

The modification of pig genes has made them more compatible with people by improving the drug regimen to reduce the risk of rejection, and by providing enough evidence through animal-to human transplants to make researchers and patients feel comfortable testing in people.

Another historical note, Massachusetts General was the site of the first human-to human organ transplant, in 1954, when an identical twin donated his kidney to his brother.

The future for animal-to human transplants is a lot brighter now than it was, but there's still a long way to go before most Americans will benefit from it.

As it Stands, I can't wait until animal-to-human brain transplants are available. It would be a huge upgrade for Donald Trump!