Richard ‘Rick’ Slayman, the first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died weeks later.
Slayman underwent the procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in March at 62 years old, with surgeons believing the pig kidney transplant would last for at least two years.
The transplant team at the hospital said it was deeply saddened over his passing, sending condolences to his family. They say there is no indication he died as a result of the surgery.
He was the first living person to have the procedure, but not the first to receive an organ from pigs. Two brain-dead donors have been temporarily had pig kidneys transplanted in to them, and two men received hearts from pigs, although they both died within months.
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Slayman had already undergone a kidney transplant six years ago. However, he had to go back on dialysis in 2023 when it showed signs of failure.
Doctors suggested a pig kidney transplant when dialysis complications arose.
His family have thanked doctors who oversaw his care.
They said: “Their enormous efforts leading the xenotransplant gave our family seven more weeks with Rick, and our memories made during that time will remain in our minds and hearts.”
Slayman’s family said he underwent the operation in part to offer hope for thousands waiting for a transplant to live.
They added: “Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever.”
Xenotransplantation, healing patients with tissue or organs from animals, has seen recent attempts involving pigs whose organs have been genetically modified. Although some efforts fail when the immune system destroys the foreign tissue.
Thousands of people are on the national waiting list for transplants, with many sadly dying before their name is called.
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