The First Living Patient to Receive a Genetically Modified Pig Kidney Dies
Published: May 11, 2024, 11:32 p.m. ET
The first living patient to receive a kidney from a genetically modified pig has passed away, just two months after the groundbreaking transplant, according to a recent announcement from the patient’s family and doctors.
Richard “Rick” Slauman, a 62-year-old from the Boston suburb of Weymouth, underwent the risky procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was discharged from the hospital in March after spending two weeks there recovering from the transplant.
The family expressed their gratitude towards the medical team, recognizing their efforts that provided them with seven more weeks with Rick. They also acknowledged the significance of xenotransplantation, a medical practice that involves using animal cells, tissues, or organs to heal human patients.
Before the groundbreaking procedure, pig kidneys had only been tested on brain-dead donors, with patients who received pig hearts dying within months. Traditional xenotransplants often failed as the human immune system rejected the foreign animal tissue. However, recent advancements involve using genetically modified pigs with more human-like organs to improve the success rates.
An Adventurous Decision for Hope
Slayman decided to undergo the experimental procedure following ongoing dialysis complications. He had been hospitalized every two weeks, and the transplant was seen as an opportunity not only to help himself but also thousands of others waiting for a transplant.
Speaking optimistically, Slauman once mentioned, “I saw it not only as a way to help me, but a way to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.” Following the surgery, the family has recognized his determination to bring hope and positivity to the lives of others.
The medical team at Mass General expressed that Slauman’s death was not a result of the transplant. They paid tribute to his generosity and looked upon him as a symbol of hope for transplant patients worldwide.
The historic kidney transplant was a second chance for Slauman, who had end-stage kidney disease and had been battling Type 2 diabetes for years. In 2018, he previously received a kidney from a human donor after undergoing dialysis for seven years.
Leaving the hospital after the pig kidney transplant, Slauman expressed great joy, stating, “This moment — leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time — is one I wished would come for many years. Now, it’s a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life.”
The medical community pays its respects to Slauman and offers heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. They remember Slauman as an extraordinary person whose generosity and kindness have touched many.
With Post wires
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