Man Who Received First Pig Kidney Transplant Dies Aged 62 After 7 Weeks
First person to receive pig kidney dies 7 weeks after transplant: The First Recipient of Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Passes Away
Richard Slayman, a 62-year-old man, passed away a few months after becoming the first person in the world to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, hailed as a medical milestone. He underwent the transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March after being diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease the previous year. The hospital emphasized that there were no signs indicating his death was a result of the transplant.
After a four-hour surgery as recommended by doctors, Slayman, a manager at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, was discharged in April. The medical team expressed optimism about the new kidney potentially lasting for many years but acknowledged there is still much to learn about xenotransplantation, the process of transplanting organs from animals to humans.
Legacy and Impact
Mr. Slayman’s groundbreaking procedure has sparked hope for countless transplant patients worldwide. Massachusetts General Hospital praised his contribution to advancing xenotransplantation and expressed gratitude for his willingness to push the boundaries of transplant medicine. His family described him as a kind-hearted individual dedicated to helping others.
Previous Transplant Experience
Slayman had been a patient in the hospital’s transplant program for 11 years and had received a kidney from a deceased donor in 2018 after battling diabetes and high blood pressure for years. The transplanted kidney began to fail five years later, leading him to continue dialysis until 2023.
Acknowledgment and Progress
Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, the director of the Legorreta Clinical Xenotransplantation Center, performed the groundbreaking surgery in March. The demand for organs far exceeds the supply in the United States, with over 100,000 people currently on the organ transplant waiting list.
While Mr. Slayman’s passing is a loss, his courage and contribution to medical science will be remembered. His journey has shed light on the potential of xenotransplantation to address organ shortages and offer hope to those in need of life-saving transplants.
