The hospital that conducted the groundbreaking genetically modified pig kidney transplant has confirmed the death of the first recipient, Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, two months after the operation.
Slayman, who suffered from end-stage kidney disease, underwent the transplant in March, marking a significant milestone in xenotransplantation.
Xenotransplantation involves the transplantation of living cells, tissues, or organs from one species to another. While Slayman’s operation was hailed as historic, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) stated that there was no indication his death was directly linked to the transplant.
Slayman’s medical history included Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and a previous human kidney transplant in 2018, which began to fail after five years. Following the pig kidney transplant on March 16, his doctors reported that he no longer required dialysis as the new organ appeared to be functioning well. Despite this initial success, Slayman’s passing highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with xenotransplantation.
The Hospital’s Remarks Following the Demise of Richard Slayman
“Mr Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope to countless transplant patients worldwide and we are deeply grateful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” MGH remarked.
