First person to receive genetically modified pig kidney transplant dies
Richard "Rick" Slayman, the first individual to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, has tragically passed away nearly two months post-procedure. The 62-year-old Massachusetts, United States, resident underwent the groundbreaking operation at Massachusetts General Hospital in March. The hospital's transplant team expressed their profound sorrow over Slayman's demise and extended condolences to his family, affirming they had no evidence suggesting his death was linked to the transplant.
Pig kidneys had only been transplanted into brain-dead donors
Before Slayman, pig kidneys had only been transplanted into brain-dead donors, making him the first living recipient of such a procedure. Two men had previously received heart transplants from pigs but unfortunately passed away within months. Surgeons had expected the pig kidney to function for at least two years. Slayman's decision to undergo this surgery was partly driven by his desire to provide hope for thousands needing a transplant to survive.
Slayman's journey toward xenotransplantation
Slayman had previously received a kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018. However, he returned to dialysis in the following year, when his transplanted kidney began showing signs of failure. As complications from dialysis necessitated frequent procedures, his doctors suggested the innovative option of a pig kidney transplant. This marked a significant step in Slayman's medical journey and the field of xenotransplantation as a whole. Xenotransplantation refers to treating human patients with cells, tissues or organs from animals.
Family's gratitude and hope for future transplants
In a heartfelt statement, Slayman's family expressed their gratitude toward the doctors for their efforts leading the xenotransplant, which gave them seven more weeks with Rick. They cherished the memories made during that time, stating, "Our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts." Over 100,000 people are on the national waiting list for a transplant, the majority of them are kidney patients, and hundreds die each year before their turn comes.
