Man Who Received First Pig Kidney Transplant Dies Aged 62
The first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, Richard “Rick” Slayman, passed away nearly two months after undergoing the groundbreaking procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital. Slayman, aged 62, had the transplant in March, with surgeons initially optimistic that the pig kidney could function for at least two years.
The transplant team expressed deep sadness at Slayman’s death and extended condolences to his family, emphasizing that there were no indications that his passing was directly linked to the transplant. Slayman’s case marked the first instance of a living person receiving a pig kidney transplant, a departure from previous temporary pig kidney transplants in brain-dead donors. Notably, two individuals who received heart transplants from pigs had also succumbed within months.
Slayman, who had a kidney transplant in 2018 but returned to dialysis due to signs of kidney failure, opted for the pig kidney transplant when complications arose during dialysis. His family, in a statement, expressed gratitude to the medical team for their efforts, acknowledging that the xenotransplantation procedure provided them with precious additional time with Slayman.
Xenotransplantation involves using animal cells, tissues, or organs to treat human patients. Historically, such attempts faced challenges due to immediate rejection by the human immune system. Recent advancements have focused on genetically modifying pigs to make their organs more compatible with humans.
Slayman’s family highlighted his decision to undergo the procedure as a beacon of hope for the many individuals awaiting life-saving transplants, emphasizing his enduring legacy of hope and optimism. With over 100,000 people on the national transplant waiting list, predominantly kidney patients, and thousands losing their lives annually before receiving a transplant, innovative approaches like xenotransplantation offer promise in addressing the critical shortage of donor organs.
