This could begin solving the human transplant problem starting in about 5 years. They could grow lungs to transplant into people in compassionate use circumstances within five to 10 years.

Transplant organs were recovered from 10,281 deceased donors—more than a 3% increase from 2016 and a 27% increase over the last 10 years. There were a total of 34,768 transplants performed in 2017 using organs from both deceased and living donors—a new record for organ transplants in the United States. At Penn Medicine in Philadelphia, there are ongoing clinical trials where people are given organs from donors who are infected with hepatitis C. After the transplant, recipients take a drug that will clear them of the disease. So far, the trial is having positive results.

Another reason for the increase is the rise in drug overdose deaths across the US.

There are about 115,000 people in the USA waiting for transplants.