The US hospital that conducted the procedure announced the death of the first living patient to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant.
Massachusetts General Hospital expressed deep regret over the unexpected death of Mr. Rick Slayman. The hospital stated, “We do not indicate that his recent transplant contributed to his passing.”
In a pioneering operation, surgeons at the hospital implanted a genetically edited pig kidney into Mr. Slayman, a 62-year-old with end-stage kidney disease, in March.
The four-hour surgery was successful. The hospital remarked, “Mr. Slayman will always be remembered as a beacon of hope for many transplant patients globally. We are immensely thankful for his courage and contribution to xenotransplantation.”
Organ shortages remain a severe issue worldwide. The hospital reported over 1,400 patients on its kidney transplant waiting list in March.
The pig kidney for the transplant came from eGenesis, a Massachusetts biotech firm. It was genetically altered to eliminate dangerous pig genes and incorporate certain human genes.
Previously, Mr. Slayman had received a human kidney transplant in 2018, which began failing after five years due to his Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
