Organ Transplantation: What Happens to the DNA?

[FulhamFan3]

I was wondering what happens to an organ after it's transplanted in another body. Obviously it starts off with the DNA of the donor. However I find it odd that there is something in your body with different DNA then yourself. So I'm wondering if the DNA of the organ eventually changes into the DNA of the person it's in or if it remains with the same DNA for the rest of his life?

 

[Revenged]

DNA doesn't change...

You have to take very strong immunosuppressive drugs to stop any rejection... but rejection does occur...

 

[ravenprp]

This is a great question! When an organ is transplanted into another body, the DNA of the donor remains in the cells of the organ. This means that the organ will continue to have the same DNA as the donor for the rest of its life in the new body. This is because the DNA is located in the nucleus of the cells, and this part of the cell is not typically affected by the transplant process.

However, it is important to note that the recipient's body may still have their own DNA in other cells, such as blood cells or skin cells. This means that the recipient will have a mix of their own DNA and the donor's DNA in their body. This is not harmful and does not cause any negative effects on the recipient's health.

It is also worth mentioning that some transplant procedures, such as bone marrow transplants, can result in a gradual change in the recipient's DNA over time. This is because the transplanted stem cells can develop into new blood cells, which will have the DNA of the donor. However, this change is only limited to the blood cells and does not affect the DNA in other organs.

In summary, the DNA of the transplanted organ will remain the same as the donor's for the rest of its life in the new body. This is a unique aspect of organ transplantation and allows for successful transplants to take place.