Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) has announced the passing of the recipient of the first-ever genetically modified pig kidney transplant, Richard Slayman, two months after the groundbreaking surgery.
Slayman had been battling end-stage kidney disease prior to the procedure. Although the exact cause of his death remains undetermined, MGH has stated that there is no evidence linking it to the transplant.
In addition to kidney disease, Mr Slayman grappled with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
“Mr. Slayman will forever be regarded as a beacon of hope for countless transplant patients worldwide, and we are profoundly thankful for his trust and willingness to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” MGH stated.
His medical journey began with a human kidney transplant in 2018, which initially succeeded but saw a decline after five years.
While previous attempts to transplant organs from genetically modified pigs had failed, Mr Slayman’s operation was hailed as a historic breakthrough.
Following his pig kidney transplant on March 16, his medical team confirmed that he no longer required dialysis, indicating the successful function of the new organ.
