Rick Slayman, the recipient of the world’s first transplanted pig kidney, has passed away nearly two months after undergoing the groundbreaking procedure.
The surgery, performed by Massachusetts General Hospital in March, involved transplanting a genetically-edited pig kidney into Slayman, a 62-year-old man suffering from end-stage kidney disease. This operation marked a significant milestone in the field of xenotransplantation, offering a potential solution to the global organ shortage.
According to the hospital, Slayman’s death was not linked to the transplant. His family expressed their deep sadness at his sudden passing while also acknowledging the inspiration he provided to many.
They also paid tribute to the medical team for their efforts in caring for Slayman, stating that the xenotransplantation procedure gave them seven more precious weeks with him.
The pig kidney used in the transplant was obtained from a genetically-edited pig. The pig’s genes were modified to remove harmful elements and incorporate certain human genes, thus improving compatibility with humans.
Additionally, porcine endogenous retroviruses in the pig donor were deactivated to eliminate any risk of infection in humans.
Massachusetts General Hospital expressed its profound sadness at Slayman’s death and emphasized that there was no indication that it resulted from the recent transplant.
They hailed Slayman as a beacon of hope for transplant patients worldwide and expressed gratitude for his trust and willingness to contribute to the advancement of xenotransplantation.
