First Living Person To Receive Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Passes Away
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died nearly two months after undergoing the procedure, his family and the hospital that performed the surgery announced on Saturday.
Richard “Rick” Slayman had the transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March at the age of 62, marking a significant milestone in the field of xenotransplantation.
Surgeons believed the pig kidney would last for at least two years, but unfortunately, Slayman’s journey came to an end sooner than expected.
The transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital was deeply saddened by Slayman’s passing and offered condolences to his family, noting that they didn’t have any indication that he died as a result of the transplant.
Slayman was the first living person to undergo this procedure, although pig kidneys had been temporarily transplanted into brain-dead donors in the past.
Two men had also received heart transplants from pigs, but both died within months.
Slayman had previously received a kidney transplant at the hospital in 2018, but he had to return to dialysis last year when it showed signs of failure.
First Living Person To Receive Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Passes Away
When dialysis complications arose, requiring frequent procedures, his doctors suggested a pig kidney transplant as a potential solution.
In a statement, Slayman’s family thanked his doctors, acknowledging that their efforts had given them seven more weeks with Rick, and that the memories made during that time would remain in their minds and hearts forever.
Slayman underwent the surgery in part to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.
His family noted that he accomplished that goal, and his hope and optimism will endure forever.
Xenotransplantation, the practice of healing human patients with cells, tissues, or organs from animals, has long been a challenging field due to the human immune system’s tendency to reject foreign animal tissue.
Recent attempts have involved pigs that have been modified to have more humanlike organs, offering new possibilities for those in need of a transplant.
With over 100,000 people on the national waiting list, most of them kidney patients, and thousands dying every year before their turn comes, Slayman’s courage and legacy will not be forgotten.
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