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By: BBC
The first man to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has died two months after the operation, the hospital that carried out the procedure has said.
Richard “Rick” Slayman, 62, was suffering from end-stage kidney disease before undergoing the operation in March.
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) said Sunday there was no indication that his death was a result of the transplant.
Transplants from genetically modified pigs have previously failed, but the operation against Mr Slayman was hailed as a historic milestone.
In addition to kidney disease, Mr Slayman also suffered from Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. In 2018, he received a human kidney transplant, but it began to fail after five years.
Following his pig kidney transplant on March 16, his doctors confirmed he no longer needed dialysis after the new organ was said to be working well.
“Mr. Slayman will forever be seen as a beacon of hope for many transplant patients around the world and we are very grateful for his faith and desire to advance the field of xenotransplantation,” said the MGH statement.
Xenotransplantation is the transplantation of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.
MGH said it was “deeply saddened” by his sudden death and offered its condolences to his family.
Relatives of Mr Slayman said his story was inspiring.
“Rick said that one of the reasons why he underwent this procedure was to give hope to thousands of people who need a transplant to live,” they said.
“Rick accomplished that goal and his hopes will last forever.
“To us, Rick was a warm-hearted and funny man who gave so much to his family, friends, and co-workers,” they added.
Although Mr Slayman received the first pig kidney to be transplanted into a human, it is not an organ
Two other patients have been transplanted with pig hearts, but the procedures were not successful as they received the service and died a few weeks later.
In one case, there were signs that the patient’s immune system had rejected the organ, which is a common risk in transplants.
