First patient to receive a pig kidney transplant has died

Rick Slayman, the first human to receive a kidney transplant from a genetically modified pig at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, has passed away.

In a statement released by Massachusetts General Hospital, "The hospital transplant team is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rick Slayman. We have no indication that it was the result of his recent transplant," the statement said.

Slayman's family said in their statement, "Our family is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our beloved Rick, but we find great comfort in knowing that he inspired so many people."

THE TRANSPLANT SURGERY LASTED 4 HOURS

Slayman's transplant surgery lasted four hours, and the hospital had described the operation as a major milestone in the quest to provide more accessible organs for patients.

Slayman had received a kidney transplant at the same hospital in 2018 after undergoing dialysis for 7 years, but the transplanted kidney failed after 5 years, and Slayman had resumed dialysis treatments.

The kidney in question was provided by a company called eGenesis from a pig that had been genetically edited to remove genes harmful to humans and to increase compatibility. The company had also inactivated pig-specific viruses that have the potential to infect humans.

News Source: 12punto