The first recipient of a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died nearly two months after he underwent the four hours procedure, his family and the hospital that performed the surgery said Saturday.
5 weeks ago, it was reported that the ailing 62-year-old, Rick Slayman, with end-stage kidney disease was given a kidney transplant from a genetically engineered pig in a first-of-its-kind procedure, he was discharged and doctors said he was recovering well.
Richard “Rick” Slayman had the transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital in March at the age of 62. Surgeons said they believed the pig kidney would last for at least two years.
The transplant team at Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement it was deeply saddened by Slayman’s passing and offered condolences to his family. They said they didn’t have any indication that he died as a result of the transplant.
The Weymouth, Massachusetts, man was the first living person to have the procedure. Previously, pig kidneys had been temporarily transplanted into brain-dead donors. Two men received heart transplants from pigs, although both died within months.
Slayman had a kidney transplant at the hospital in 2018, but he had to go back on dialysis last year when it showed signs of failure. When dialysis complications arose requiring frequent procedures, his doctors suggested a pig kidney transplant.
Slayman was so excited just a month ago, his statement before leaving the hospital was “I’m excited to resume spending time with my family, friends, and loved ones free from the burden of dialysis that has affected my quality of life for many years, leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health l’ve had in a long time.
Slayman is not the first to die from similar procedure, back January, 2022, Hallesblog also reported 57-year-old Maryland man, David Bennett, who received a genetically modified pig heart, also in a first-of-its-kind transplant surgery, however, died in March, exactly two months later.
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