This Kidney Was Frozen for 10 Days. Could Surgeons Transplant It?
This Kidney Was Frozen for 10 Days. Could Surgeons Transplant It?
Scientists developed a way to freeze a large mammal’s kidney, which could ease organ shortages in the future. First, they had to see if their method would work in a pig.
Read the full article on NY Times Science
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article appears mostly accurate based on the provided sources. The key claim about a kidney being frozen for 10 days before transplantation is supported. There is minimal discernible bias.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Scientists developed a way to freeze a large mammal’s kidney.
- Verification Source #1: Supports this claim, stating the article is about a kidney frozen for 10 days before transplant.
- Verification Source #2: Discusses deep freezing organs, lending general support to the possibility.
- Claim: The method was first tested in a pig.
- Verification Source #1: States the kidney going into the pig had been removed 10 days before, frozen, and then transplanted. This supports the claim.
- Claim: Kidneys typically must be transplanted within 24 to 36 hours.
- Verification Source #1: States "While kidneys typically must be transplanted within 24 to 36 hours..." This supports the claim.
- Claim: The kidney was frozen for 10 days.
- Verification Source #1: Explicitly states the kidney was removed 10 days before, frozen, and then transplanted.
- Verification Source #5: Mentions that kidneys from living donors usually start working immediately, while those from deceased donors may take longer, up to 10 days. This doesn't directly contradict the claim, but provides context about typical kidney transplant recovery times.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Verification Source #1: Supports the core claim that a kidney was frozen for 10 days and then transplanted into a pig.
- Verification Source #2: Provides broader context on the science of deep-freezing organs.
- Verification Source #5: Provides context on typical kidney transplant recovery times, which doesn't contradict the claim but adds nuance.
- Verification Source #3 and #4: Are not relevant to the claims made in the article.