Pig Kidney Works for 271 Days
Tim Andrews is a sick man. He needs a new kidney. Doctors place a special pig kidney inside him. The kidney works for 271 days. This is a record. Later, Tim gets a human kidney. This pig kidney gives hope to many people. There are not enough human kidneys for sick people.
There is a big problem with sick kidneys. Many people need a new kidney. In the US, 100,000 people wait for a kidney. But doctors only have 25,000 kidneys every year. In the UK, more than 7,000 people wait.
Tim Andrews is a man from the US. He is 66 years old. He has bad kidneys because of diabetes. He needs a machine to clean his blood. This machine is a dialysis machine. People on this machine live for five years on average. But the wait for a kidney is seven years. Tim has a shortage of time.
Doctors at a hospital in the US do a new thing. The hospital is Mass General Brigham. Doctors place a pig kidney inside Tim. This is on January 25, 2025.
The pig kidney is not a normal kidney. It is from a special pig. Scientists change the pig DNA 69 times. This helps the human body. The human body does not attack the pig kidney.
The pig kidney works inside Tim. It works for 271 days. This is a very long time. It is a record. Tim is happy. He does not need the dialysis machine. He has hope.
But the pig kidney stops working in October. Doctors remove the kidney. Tim uses the dialysis machine for 82 days. Then, Tim gets a human kidney in January. Now, this human kidney works well.
Doctors are happy. Dr. Leonardo Riella says there is a crisis. There are not enough kidneys. This pig kidney gives hope to many sick people.
Take a position. Out loud, if you can.
Four ways to start. Pick one and try saying it before you scroll on.
Tip · Record yourself, use in a notebook, or practice with a language partner.
How long did the pig kidney work inside Tim?
Present Simple for Facts
We use the present simple tense to talk about facts, general truths, and things that are always true.
“Tim Andrews is a man from the US.”
What to know · A1
Try saying this aloud
Scenario: Talking about a health problem with a friend.
- 01“There is a big problem.”
- 02“I have a shortage of time.”
- 03“This gives me hope.”
Register tip · informal
🔑Key Phrases
Used to introduce a serious situation that needs attention.
There is a big problem with the computer today.
Means someone does not have enough time left.
We must hurry because we have a shortage of time.
Describes an organ functioning correctly within a person's body.
The new heart works inside the patient.
Article Audio — Kokoro TTS
Pig Kidney Works for 271 Days
💬Discussion Questions
Open-ended questions to talk or write about — alone, with a partner, or in class.
- 1
Is it a good idea to use animal organs to help sick people?
Opinion - 2
How do you feel when you visit a hospital?
Personal - 3
Do you think science can solve most health problems in the future?
Predict - 4
Why is it difficult for people to wait a long time for help?
Evaluate - 5
How does technology help doctors today compared to the past?
Compare - 6
Would you agree to have a special surgery if you were very sick?
Personal - 7
What is the most important organ in the human body?
Opinion - 8
How can we help people who are waiting for medical treatment?
Evaluate
News sourced from: BBC Health →. LectoPress rewrites the facts as original graded-reader text for language learners.
Get stories at your level, every day
A1 · EN · delivered to your inbox · unsubscribe any time
Customize language, level & topics → full preferences
