Massachusetts Man Dies Two Months After Historic Pig Kidney Transplant
A Massachusetts man, Richard Slayman, has tragically passed away nearly two months after making history as the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. The groundbreaking procedure took place at Massachusetts General Hospital in March, with surgeons initially predicting that the pig kidney would last for at least two years.
Slayman’s death was announced by his family and the hospital that performed the transplant on Saturday. The hospital expressed deep sadness over his passing and offered condolences to his loved ones, emphasizing that there was no indication that his death was a result of the transplant.
The 62-year-old Slayman was the first living person to undergo this innovative procedure, although pig kidneys had previously been temporarily transplanted into brain-dead donors. While two men had received heart transplants from pigs in the past, both had unfortunately passed away within months.
Slayman had previously undergone a kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018 but had to return to dialysis last year due to signs of kidney failure. After facing complications with dialysis that required frequent procedures, his doctors suggested the pig kidney transplant as a potential solution.
In a statement, Slayman’s family expressed gratitude towards the medical team for extending his life through the xenotransplant procedure. They highlighted the hope that Slayman’s journey had provided for thousands of others in need of transplants.
Xenotransplantation, the process of using animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat human patients, has historically been challenging due to the rejection of foreign animal tissue by the human immune system. Recent advancements, such as genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans, have shown promise in overcoming these obstacles.
With over 100,000 people on the national waiting list for transplants, the majority being kidney patients, the need for innovative solutions like xenotransplantation is more pressing than ever. Thousands of individuals die each year while waiting for a suitable donor organ.
Slayman’s family emphasized his enduring hope and optimism throughout his journey, stating that his legacy will live on. The Associated Press contributed to this report on this groundbreaking medical development.
