First person to receive a Pig kidney transplant dies

Richard “Rick” Slayman, the pioneer of genetically modified pig kidney transplant, has sadly passed away approximately two months post-surgery. Aged 62 and battling end-stage kidney disease, Slayman underwent the groundbreaking procedure in March at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

While the hospital clarified on Saturday that there was no apparent correlation between Slayman’s demise and the transplant, the surgeon overseeing the operation had initially anticipated the transplant’s viability for a minimum of two years. Expressing profound grief at Slayman’s unexpected passing, the hospital lauded him as a beacon of hope for transplant patients worldwide, commending his courageous contribution to advancing xenotransplantation, the practice of transplanting organs across species boundaries, in response to the critical shortage of donor organs.

In a statement issued through the hospital, Slayman’s family conveyed their heartfelt appreciation to the medical team for their unwavering dedication throughout the xenotransplant process, which afforded them invaluable additional time with Slayman. Fondly remembered as compassionate, sharp-witted, and deeply devoted to his family, Slayman harbored a fervent desire to instill hope in countless others awaiting life-saving transplants.

The significance of Slayman’s transplant lies in its pivotal role in propelling the field of xenotransplantation forward, offering promising avenues for addressing the pressing issue of organ scarcity through genetic modification of animal organs to enhance compatibility with the human body.

Slayman’s enduring legacy as a source of hope and inspiration endures, transcending his physical presence, and resonating with individuals confronting similar medical challenges. His family underscored his profound and enduring impact on those reliant on transplants for survival.

Meanwhile, in a notable development, a 54-year-old woman from New Jersey recently became the second individual to undergo a genetically modified pig kidney transplant. With over 100,000 Americans languishing on organ transplant waiting lists, and thousands succumbing to their conditions before receiving suitable donors, Slayman’s narrative underscores the urgent imperative for innovative breakthroughs in the realm of transplantation.

Source: https://www.wired.com/story/pig-kidney-death-rick-slayman-transplant-animal-xenotransplantation/

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