The first man to undergo a groundbreaking genetically modified pig kidney transplant has sadly passed away two months after the successful operation.
Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, had been battling end-stage kidney disease before the transplant took place in March.
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where the procedure was carried out, issued a statement on Sunday confirming Mr. Slayman’s passing. However, they clarified that there is no definitive evidence linking his death to the transplant.
The operation on Mr. Slayman was hailed as a major milestone because previous attempts to transplant organs from genetically modified pigs had not been successful. Despite also dealing with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, he no longer required dialysis following the transplant.
While Mr. Slayman’s story ended tragically, his relatives expressed that his journey had brought hope to countless transplant patients. They described him as a kind-hearted man with a great sense of humor who was deeply devoted to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Although Mr. Slayman was the first recipient of a pig kidney transplant, he was not the first to receive a pig organ in a transplant procedure. Unfortunately, previous attempts with pig heart transplants resulted in the recipients passing away shortly after the surgery.
The medical community is continuing to explore the potential of xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting living cells, tissues, or organs between different species. While there are risks involved, including the possibility of organ rejection, the hope is that advancements in this field will eventually save more lives in the future.
