Caught My Eye…
Massachusetts General Hospital announced the world’s first successful transplant of a genetically-edited pig kidney into a 62-year old man living with end-stage kidney disease. The procedure marks an historic milestone as a potential solution to the global organ shortage, of which kidneys are in shortest supply. According to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, roughly 27,000 kidneys were transplanted in 2023, but nearly 89,000 people were on the waitlist.
Elon Musk’s brain chip startup Neuralink released a new video showing the company’s first patient playing a game of chess on his laptop using just his mind. The patient, Noland Arbaugh, is paralyzed from the shoulders down and has historically required help from his parents to use devices. After receiving the implant, Arbaugh can use a mouse and cursor unassisted, and says that his biggest barrier now is “waiting for the implant to charge” before he can use it.
The Japanese government is subsidizing AI matchmaking services as part of a national effort to address the country’s declining birthrate. This includes public and company-sponsored ‘singles parties’ and ‘life design seminars’ meant to encourage marriage and family life. Today, Japan has the fastest-aging population of any post-industrial country, and its current fertility rate of 1.3 is well-below the replacement rate of ~2 required to ensure a stable population.
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